“See Naples and die.” “See Como and… sign.” But for whom? Tomorrow afternoon’s Inter-Como at San Siro, at aperitif time, will feature Hakan Çalhanoğlu among its protagonists. The Turkish midfielder has a contract that expires in June 2027, as is well known. For at least a couple of years his name has constantly been linked with clubs from his home country, but no concrete and adequate offers have ever arrived, and Çalhanoğlu has always stayed. He is happy in Milan, where he has lived since 2017, and since being turned into a playmaker by Simone Inzaghi he has become a fundamental piece of Inter.
Renewal Talks Have Not Yet Taken Off
Negotiations for his renewal have not yet taken off, but there have already been contacts between Inter’s new sporting director, Dario Baccin, and his agent, Gordon Stipić. Both sides want to continue together, but an agreement is not as straightforward as it might seem.
The Terms: Wages and Duration
The gap is on two points. Çalhanoğlu is among the best-paid players at the club, on €6.5 million a year, and does not want to earn much less than he has so far, while extending for two more seasons. Inter, following the directives of their owners Oaktree, have different ideas.
The club’s reasoning starts with age and fitness. Çalhanoğlu turns 33 in February, and in the last two seasons he has suffered eleven muscle injuries that kept him out for more than 200 days. So, while the club would like to continue together, it is considering the length of the renewal, perhaps one year plus an option, and a lower base wage with various performance and results bonuses on top.
Marotta: “We Are Not in a Situation of Anxiety”
Publicly, Inter present themselves as calm. President Marotta said a few days ago: “We are not in a situation of anxiety regarding renewals. There is only one player whose contract is expiring, and that is Çalhanoğlu, with whom we have an excellent relationship.” The club also does not forget the Turk’s role, which is central under Inzaghi and under Chivu, even though Zieliński has emerged as a valid alternative. He returns to the national team after missing the last matches under coach Montella through injury.
Juventus and Como
Çalhanoğlu has several admirers, in Turkey and in Italy. They include Juventus and, in a development of recent weeks, Como. Fàbregas’s side are thinking of adding experienced figures to guide their young talents. Until last season they had Sergi Roberto, and now Suwarso’s club has Çalhanoğlu in its sights.
Como is one of his favourite victims. In six previous meetings he has always started, never lost, with five wins and a draw, scoring three goals and providing four assists. His last performance against them was outstanding: in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg on 21 April, Inter won 3-2 at San Siro with a comeback in which he scored twice and made the decisive pass for Sučić’s winning goal.
Why It Matters for Juventus
The interest fits the pattern seen throughout this period. Çalhanoğlu has been named as a pre-contract or summer midfield option for Juventus, and Cabrini explicitly advised the club to sign him alongside a top striker. His contract situation, expiring in June 2027, means Juventus could speak to him from January under the pre-contract rules. The factors Tuttosport sets out, his age, the injury record and Inter’s attempt to cut his wage, are exactly the questions the Juventus board would have to answer under its squad-cost cap. The appearance of Como adds a competitor who can offer a leading role and a project around young players.
