The Blues are targeting a deal for Hakan Calhanoglu…
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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has earmarked young Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu as a potential summer transfer target.
The Portuguese maverick manager has been mightily impressed with the 20-year-old, who currently plies his trade for Hamburg in the Bundesliga, and will offer £7.5m for his services, reports the Daily Mail.
Calhanoglu has been predominantly deployed on the left this term, but like Mesut Ozil, it is expected that he will move to a pivotal, central ‘no.10’ role as he matures and develops.
He prides himself on superb technical ability, and his crisp, zipped passes. Calhanoglu regularly finds space in the final third, and plays intricate through-balls to onrushing teammates. The young Turk also has a fizzing long shot, and is dangerous from set-pieces too.
As a result, Mourinho wants to sign him to add guile and creativity to his midfield. He currently has Willian and Oscar who are capable of performing of similar roles, but Calhanoglu’s talent is apparently impossible to ignore.
Premier League rivals Liverpool and Arsenal are also interested, but Chelsea have shown before with their financial pulling power and sharp negotiation tactics that they normally secure their transfer targets.
This term, the playmaker has made 30 Bundesliga appearances, in which he’s bagged an impressive 10 goals, and registered four assists as well.
Hamburg have struggled, but Calhanoglu has been the shining light in their season.
He will not be competing at this summer’s World Cup though, as Turkey haven’t qualified, so he will have to wait to add to his solitary international cap so far.
Calhanoglu has shot to prominence this season, following a promising loan spell at Karlsruher last term. He has two years remaining on his contract, and would likely be keen to move to a genuine European giant.
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