Fenerbahçe, under newly elected president Aziz Yıldırım, have reportedly initiated contact regarding a potential move for Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, according to reports from Turkish media outlets. Despite previous interest from rival club Galatasaray, and a campaign pledge from former presidential candidate Hakan Safi to secure Calhanoglu’s signature, Inter are firm in their stance that the player is not for sale.
Aziz Yıldırım’s victory in the Fenerbahçe presidential election has seemingly reignited the club’s pursuit of the Turkish international, with initial discussions already underway to assess the feasibility of a transfer. The club views Calhanoglu as an ideal player to spearhead a sporting project aiming to challenge Galatasaray, who recently won the league title. This interest follows a similar pattern seen during the previous election cycle, indicating a sustained desire to acquire the experienced midfielder.
However, Inter are determined to retain Calhanoglu, a key figure in Simone Inzaghi’s squad and currently in pre-season training with the national team under Vincenzo Montella. The club has erected a firm barrier to any potential offers from Fenerbahçe, mirroring their response to Galatasaray’s interest last year. Calhanoglu’s importance extends beyond his remaining year on his contract, with Inter’s technical staff, including Cristian Chivu, considering him an integral part of the team.
Calhanoglu joined Inter in 2021 from AC Milan and quickly established himself as a pivotal player in midfield, known for his vision, passing range, and set-piece ability. He has become a consistent performer for the Nerazzurri, contributing significantly to their Serie A title win in 2024. Inter’s unwavering commitment to keeping him suggests they see him as crucial to their continued success, despite the ongoing interest from Turkish clubs. The situation remains fluid, but Inter’s current position makes a transfer appear highly unlikely.
