Another day, another attacking player linked to Newcastle United – and a bid has reportedly been made.
According to Louis Girardi from Calciomercato, an offer for Hakan Calhanoglu has been made to AC Milan, however, there is no reference to how much they have bid or whether it is a permanent transfer.
Toon have been linked to the player before, so perhaps there are some genuine legs in this move. Calciomercato recently reported that he could be available for as much as €20m (around £17m), with the club buying him for €23m in 2017.
However, with Milan’s financial problems being no secret and with Calhanoglu not deemed an unsellable player, there could be potential for him to leave at the right price.
So far this season, despite his goal contributions lacking, he has still featured heavily under both Marco Giampaolo and Stefano Pioli for AC Milan this season, racking up 18 starts from a maximum of 20, with his only two games missing coming through suspension and an injury.
Who would you most like to see join?
Bowen
Calhanoglu
Lookman
Lazaro
He has played most of his games on the left-wing, being able to cut in and use his right foot as a goal threat, though it’s fair to say that hasn’t really happened with just two goals and one assist coming. He has also played some games at central midfield, so that could potentially give Bruce some further options in the middle of the park.
Still only 25, the 47-capped attacking midfielder has not had the best of times since joining AC Milan, with his progress seemingly stalling at the San Siro.
In the Bundesliga, he managed to score 28 goals in 111 Bundesliga games, with 22 assists; in Serie A, he has managed just 11 goals in 85 with 12 assists – and all of his Bundesliga appearances came aged 23 and under.
Nevertheless, his career, at a young age, has seen him score and assist a fair chunk of goals for some extremely big clubs. There’s no doubt the player still has talent, he just seems to have hit a bump. Perhaps a bit of love and care from the team on Tyneside could rejuvenate his career.