Club looking to tie down £31.5m man to long term deal amid Everton enquiry in the summer

Everton (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Everton (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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Frank Lampard’s primary focus in the transfer window was to strengthen the midfield. Everton went from an unreliable and injury prone midfield to a robust, athletic, and powerful midfield. Naturally, a number of players were looked at in the transfer market as Kevin Thelwell and Lampard carefully scanned the market. The name of Hakan Calhanoglu was also discussed.

The Turkish midfielder plies his trade on the blue side of Milan, after spending four seasons with AC Milan, getting labeled as a traitor amongst the Rossoneri faithful. Since joining Inter, Calhanoglu has been a mainstay in the midfield, putting on impressive displays throughout the season. The 28 year old logged seven goals and 13 assists in 34 Serie A games last season.

Everton had been in search of a technical and creative player in midfield who can create chances and be a threat to the opposition. While the defensive midfield issues had been addressed through Idrissa Gueye, the Toffees looked open to the idea of having a player with imagination and creating chances for the forwards.

Calhanoglu records 5.38 shot creating actions, putting him in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe in this category. The Turkey midfielder also records 0.33 assists per game, featuring in the top two percent of the players. His outstanding chance creating stats meant that he attracted attention from the Premier League sides in the summer. (stats via FBref)

Everton enquired about Hakan Calhanoglu in the summer

According to TEAMtalk, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United enquired about the 28 year old during the summer transfer window. Inter Milan have sensed that more trams could get interested in Calhanoglu’s services if he continues to put in brilliant numbers and spread the magic on the field.

The Nerazurri have upped their efforts to tie down Calhanoglu on a long term deal as they try to ward off any offers from other clubs. The Turk is enjoying life in Milan and has blossomed in Simeone Inzaghi’s system. His contract runs until 2024 and barring any surprises, the former AC Milan man should be open to staying at Giuseppe Meazza beyond 2024.

Inter want to sort out the long term future of their prized asset before the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar which gives them roughly a month to conclude negotiations and reach an agreement. As things stand, talks are progressing well between both camps which will give some relief to the fans.

Everton’s interest might have been restricted to just inquiries but it further solidifies the notion that the club is working in the right direction and trying to bring right players to the club. In the end, Calhanoglu might never come to the Toffees but there’s a renewed optimism and a sense of confidence that is growing among the fans in the club’s recruitment.

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