Hakan Calhanoglu has returned to Inter’s training camp with a renewed outlook, despite his contract expiring at the end of the season. The club has not yet initiated discussions regarding an extension, but the possibility of negotiations being postponed until the end of the transfer window remains open, according to reports from Italy.
Calhanoglu experienced a turbulent summer, including involvement in Turkish political campaigns following a disappointing World Cup with Turkey. However, he appears settled and focused on the upcoming season with Inter. Manager Simone Inzaghi and sporting director Dario Chivu both believe finding a replacement for Calhanoglu would be difficult, making a sale undesirable, particularly given the limited financial return it would likely generate.
Inter are simultaneously preparing for the future by evaluating Aleksandar Stankovic as a potential long-term replacement for Calhanoglu. Stankovic, recently re-signed from Club Brugge for a reported €23 million, is viewed as a more suitable candidate for the regista role than Piotr Zielinski, who served as cover last season. The young player is considered adaptable and receptive to Chivu’s guidance.
The midfield remains overcrowded at Inter, with ten players competing for three positions, including returning loanees Kristjan Asllani and Ebenezer Akisanmiro. This congestion means any new arrivals, such as Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, who is of interest to Inzaghi, would necessitate departures. Davide Frattesi, who has requested to leave, is currently the most likely candidate to be sold, though he has yet to attract compelling offers. His form dipped last season, following a strong showing against Bayern Munich and Barcelona, impacting his market value and potentially his chances of selection for the Italian national team.
