Manchester United linked to Hakan Calhanoglu

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Hakan Calhanoglu, according to reports in Italian media outlets.

The 26-year-old Turkish international was first linked to United five years ago when he was at Bayern Leverkusen, but he ultimately stayed in Germany before switching to Italy in 2017.

However, it appears that he could soon be on the move from his current club AC Milan, because he has entered the last year of his contract at the San Siro, so will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs abroad if he does not renew his deal.

Calhanoglu plays as an attacking midfielder and is known for his set piece expertise, something that the club could use. Given he is available for nothing he would also be an affordable replacement should the club finally get rid of Paul Pogba, who will also soon be entering his own transfer limbo.

Gazzetta dello Sport believes that United could offer up a five-year contract to the German-born player, who can also operate on the left wing. Given the impacts of the coronavirus on clubs across Europe, he will be in demand given his relative affordability.

United are currently well stock for midfielders, with Donny van de Beek still to get an extended run of games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he settles into the team, despite some very promising performances as a substitute.

The club made a late break for signings in the summer transfer window and could conceivably add to the squad in the winter period. Solskjaer is known to want a central defender to compete despite the impressive displays of Axel Tuanzebe.

This last paragraph is here because I need to reach 300 words and to be honest there isn’t a great deal more to the story than what is written above.