Tottenham Hotspur may have the opportunity to sign Hakan Calhanoglu from Inter Milan, but there are three conditions that need to be met. The first is that Spurs must secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League, which would significantly enhance their chances of acquiring the Turkish playmaker. Additionally, the future of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could impact the deal.
Hojbjerg, the Danish defensive midfielder, does not appear to be part of Ange Postecoglou’s plans, and his departure could create room for Calhanoglu to join the team. Moreover, it would generate funds to bolster the transfer budget and alleviate wage bill constraints.
However, there is a stumbling block in the form of Inter Milan’s asking price of £43.6 million for the 29-year-old Calhanoglu. This figure may seem steep for a player nearing his thirties, despite his contract remaining valid until the summer of 2027. Nonetheless, Calhanoglu possesses exceptional dead-ball skills and is renowned for his creative playmaking in the final third.
One might argue that Tottenham already has a similar player in James Maddison, who was recently signed from Leicester City for a reasonable fee and is only 26 years old. Given the importance of Champions League qualification to Calhanoglu, playing time should also be a crucial consideration. If he cannot secure a starting position under Postecoglou, it may not make sense to pursue his signing.
Of course, there is no denying the value that Calhanoglu would bring to the team in terms of his passing ability, vision, and expertise in set-pieces. However, the challenge lies in finding a way to integrate him into the existing squad. The three conditions for his potential transfer are relatively straightforward: Tottenham is currently leading the league standings, Hojbjerg’s future is uncertain, and the transfer fee, while significant, is not exorbitant. Nevertheless, a lot can change in the coming months.
Perhaps Calhanoglu could slot into the central midfield role, akin to Rodrigo Bentancur’s position. If Postecoglou can devise a system that accommodates both the Turkey international and Maddison, then the team dynamics will become truly intriguing.
