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Report: Arsenal now want to sign 28-year-old playmaker who Cesc Fabregas thinks is ‘very talented’
reports that Arsenal now want to sign Inter Milan playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu – a player Cesc Fabregas thinks is ‘very talented’.
Arsenal will seemingly be aiming to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad in January as they aim to maintain their push for the Premier League title.
The Gunners are flying at the moment but there are concerns over the depth of their squad and whether they are capable of maintaining their form over the course of the season.
Now, it seems that Arsenal could be targeting a surprise move for Calhanoglu – Inter’s free-kick specialist.
Arsenal want to sign Calhanoglu
InterLive reports that both Arsenal and Aston Villa could attempt to lure Calhanoglu to the Premier League in January.
The 28-year-old’s current contract with the Nerazzurri runs until 2024 and Inter do not intend on selling him in the upcoming window. However, an offer of around £25 million could ‘shake’ Inter chairman Steven Zhang into a change of stance.
The outlet notes that English clubs could now turn to Calhanoglu in the event that Ismaël Bennacer renews his deal with AC Milan.
Calhanoglu has been brilliant for Inter this season, scoring three goals and providing five assists in 20 appearances from centre-midfield.
The Turkish international has proven to be a deadly free-kick taker over the years but it’s his playmaking ability that has impressed Fabregas in the past.
The Arsenal legend praised Calhanoglu last year while talking on ahead of Turkey’s clash against Italy during the Euros.
“He’s very talented. What I like about him is he takes risks, he plays forward, he’s not scared to create things when people don’t see them,” he said.
“He follows the game, he understands it. In football nowadays, you need a little bit of that because it’s become a little bit robotic.
“He comes into half spaces, he’s not afraid to shoot, another thing in football I think we’re losing a little bit from outside the box. He’s got a fantastic delivery in him.” .
With just over 18-months left on his current deal, Calhanoglu could be an attractive proposition for many sides.
Arsenal failed to land Douglas Luiz on deadline day and seemingly have reservations about moving for Youri Tielemans just yet.
Arteta will be keen to add depth to his midfield as they lack any quality back-up options to both Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
Calhanoglu has shown he can operate in different roles in the midfield and would be a very useful player for Arteta.