AC Milan are increasingly confident of keeping Newcastle United target Hakan Calhanoglu as talks continue with the out-of-contract play-maker, as reported by Calciomercato.
History doesn’t look too fondly on that infamous £210 million splurge in the summer of 2017.
In truth, only two of many big-name players who arrived at the San Siro during a dramatic transfer window have lived up to expectations: Franck Kessie and Calhanoglu.
While Leonardo Bonucci, Nikola Kalinic and Ricardo Rodriguez disappointed, the Ivorian and the Turk are more important than ever to the Rossoneri rebuild four years on, playing a key role in an unexpected Scudetto surge under Stefano Pioli.
Unfortunately, however, both Kessie and Calhanoglu are facing an uncertain future at the San Siro with their contracts running down.
The latter is due to become a free agent as soon as July, with the Chronicle reporting that Newcastle are keeping tabs on a long-time transfer target.
Admittedly, it is hard to imagine one of Europe’s most productive play-makers swapping AC Milan for a mediocre Magpies side glancing nervously at the relegation zone.
And Calciomercato have some good news for Milan fans; the ideal remedy to Sunday’s 3-0 derby defeat to league leaders Inter.
Directors Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara will hold a meeting with Calhanoglu’s agent today amid increasing confidence that the former Bayer Leverkusen star will put pen to paper after all.
Calhanoglu wants a substantial pay rise, although there is a belief that a compromise can be reached; one that will see the midfielder handed a new £80,000-a-week deal.
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