Hamburg’s Calhanoglu is on the radar of some of Europe’s biggest sides.
With Atletico Madrid looking to sign Hamburger SV playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu, Chelsea have decided to swing things their way with a £13m bid, according to Spanish publication AS.
The 20-year-old has been impressing in the Bundesliga this term and has scored 10 league goals in 28 matches, despite operating in a No.10 role.
This form has seen Calhanoglu compared to Arsenal’s club record signing Mesut Ozil, who was also born in Germany but is of Turkish descent.
Yet unlike Ozil the Hamburg star has opted to play for Turkey as opposed to the country of his birth and the attacking midfielder made his debut for the nation last year.
Calhanoglu also plays in a similar style to the Gunners ace, with a tendency to play behind the striker although with the capability to operate on the left and in a deeper role.
Champions League semi-finalists Atletico were hoping to land the Turk and head coach Diego Simeone was hoping the player’s national teammate and current Atleti star Arda Turan could help clinch the deal.
However, with more financial muscle the west Londoners want to swoop in and complete the deal themselves with a £13m offer.
Calhanoglu would have to compete with the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar, Willian and Mohamed Salah for a place in the starting XI at Stamford Bridge though, which is a daunting prospect in on itself.
The Turkey international joined Hamburg from Karlsruher SC in the summer of 2012, before returning to the club for that first season on-loan – breaking into the first team at the Imtech Arena this term and having played 32 matches since.
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