Manchester United set to lose out on AC Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu

According to Tuttosport, via Football Italia, (h/t Daily Mail) Manchester United are set to miss out on signing Hakan Calhanoglu.

The Turkish midfielder is closer than ever to agreeing on terms with his current club, AC Milan.

Manchester United had been linked with a move for the 26-year-old midfielder in recent times, with the player reaching a stalemate with his club over a new contract.

Calhanoglu’s current contract has him on a salary of just over £3million a year. The new contract is rumoured to increase that amount to approximately £4million.

It is believed that the stalemate between Milan and Calhanoglu arose due to the player’s agent demanding a salary of £5.5million for the player.

The Turkish midfielder is in the last few months of his current contract, which expires in the summer of 2021.

The Red Devils were hoping to capitalise on this situation and sign a pre-agreement with the player in January.

That looks highly unlikely now, with the player’s agent reportedly flying out to Italy on Wednesday. They would arrive at Casa Milan – the club’s HQ outside their stadium – to discuss the deal. (h/t Daily Mail)

Staying at AC Milan looks even more enticing for Calhanoglu now. The club sit at the top of Serie A and are yet to lose a single game in the league this season.

The Turkish international has himself played a major role in ensuring that. He has already grabbed 5 goals and 5 assists in all competitions for Milan this season.

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Calhanoglu is deadly on set-pieces and has an eye for the perfect pass. He is also not too shabby in front of goal himself, as his stats indicate.

Losing out on a player of Calhanoglu’s class, who the club could have signed on a free transfer in the summer, is surely a blow.