Hakan Calhanoglu demands pay rise to sign new contract at Inter Milan

Inter Milan star Hakan Calhanoglu has reportedly asked for a substantial wage increase to pledge his future to Giuseppe Meazza amid Premier League links.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via FCInterNews), the 28-year-old midfielder wants around €6 million net per season to pen a new deal in Lombardy. 

Calhanoglu swapped allegiances at San Siro in 2021 after failing to convince Inter’s arch-rivals AC Milan to hand him an improved contract despite enjoying a prominent role in Stefano Pioli’s team. 

Inter have recognised the playmaker’s greediness and if they refuse to meet his request, it’s possible the former Bayer Leverkusen man will leave the club at the end of the season.

The Turkey international’s current contract runs out in 2024, but Inter would want to avoid the same scenario that helped them lure him away from the Rossoneri in the first place.

Despite bagging only two goals and five assists in 20 Serie A outings this season, Calhanoglu has been an omnipresent figure in Inzaghi’s starting line-up, especially in the absence of Marcelo Brozovic.

Once an advanced playmaker, the Turk has established himself as one of the best-performing deep-lying midfielders in Serie A this season, attracting interest from unnamed clubs in the Premier League. 

Aware of the possibility of losing their first-team regular to some wealthy English clubs, Inter are hopeful of having contract talks wrapped up by the end of the season.