Many Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media to reports by Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), claiming the club has sent scouts to watch AC Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.
United’s transfer department are still yet to finalise our targets for the January window, which slams shut at 23:00 on Friday, 31st, and have flown out to Italy to assess Calhanoglu’s suitability for Steve Bruce’s side.
A move for the 47-cap Turkey international may not be forthcoming in the winter market, though, as it is noted that the club are also looking toward potential summer moves.
Our scouts were in attendance at the San Siro on Monday afternoon as Milan drew 0-0 with Sampdoria, where Calhanoglu played the full 90 minutes from the left-wing.
The 25-year-old struck each of his three shots on target and played two key balls, per WhoScored data, while beating his marker with one of two dribbles, winning one of two aerial duels and delivering five corners though only two found a teammate.
Would you welcome Calhanoglu to St. James' Park?
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Calhanoglu has scored twice and created one in the Serie A this season over his 17 appearances, of which all were in the starting line-up, ten came from the left-wing, six in a central midfield role and one in a defensive midfield position.
His only Italian top-flight fixture missed in 2019/20 came on matchday 13 against SSC Napoli, when he was suspended for accumulating five yellow cards.
Calhanoglu is under contract with Milan until the summer of 2021, and Rossoneri executives could see a move by United in a positive light if they are not planning on offering the £16.2million-rated former Bayer Leverkusen star a new deal.
Here are some of the messages shared as Toon fans reacted to reports of the club sending scouts to watch Calhanoglu face Sampdoria…
Waste of a plane ticket
— Craaaaig (@craigwat11) January 6, 2020
It always makes me curious that we have sent scouts in Jan to watch a player….what have they been doing between Sept 1st and Dec 31st. A well organised club would surely have scouting done and discussions held ready for 1st Jan
— Sven11 (@soneilluk) January 7, 2020
We are looking at players now. Clubs are signing players they’ve looked at for the last 3 months. Its amateur hour agsin
— 6944Colin (@6944colin) January 6, 2020
He’s so bad
— Sean Mullin (@SeanMullin2) January 6, 2020
We are the only club that hasn’t finalised their targets. Why? Because we don’t and won’t sign anyone other than some cheap deal thrown our way towards the end and they’ll say we tried. Relegation battle here we come
— David Tasker (@DavidTazGolf9) January 7, 2020
So we have ASM, who best as a left-sided attacker; Almiron’s best spot is attacking from the left; Joelinton’s most effective as the left-sided player in a 4-3-3 … and they want *another* guy who prefers to be in that spot too? Good Lord.
— Matt Traub (@matttraub) January 6, 2020
As long he can do this every week I’ll have him 🤷♂️😅 pic.twitter.com/X4k7zghQBc
— A Fozzy (@AdamFoskett2) January 6, 2020
Finalise their targets. It’s the 6th.
— chris (@chrisfalconer) January 6, 2020
We’ve got more left wingers than the Labour front bench. We need a right winger (in purely footballing terms).
— Kris (@KrisDoog) January 6, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club have reportedly held talks over signing a £3.6m-rated forward.