Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has revealed some details about his summer transfer links with Bayern Munich.
The 30-year-old spoke to Roman newspaper Corriere dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews. He also spoke about his Champions League dreams and his teammate Kristjan Asllani.
Last summer, Inter midfielder Calhanoglu was the subject of high-profile transfer rumors.
German giants Bayern Munich are reportedly considering a move.
These only lasted a few days.
However, while the prospect of Calhanoglu’s departure was in the air, there was a feeling that it could have significantly changed the course of Inter’s plans.
Calhanoglu is a key player for the Nerazzurri. Last season he was not only Inter’s most important midfielder, he was also named the best midfielder in Serie A.
Therefore, the fact that a club of Bayern’s stature was trying to sign the Turk caused a lot of concern around Inter.
Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu reveals details of Bayern Munich transfer links
Eventually, Calhanoglu himself felt the need to intervene publicly. He published a statement in which he made it clear that he was “happy” at Inter and had no plans to leave.
Calhanoglu returned to the circumstances of the transfer rumors. “It was during the Euros,” said the Inter midfielder.
“My agent didn’t tell me anything until everything was done.”
Bayern have reportedly offered Calhanoglu a four-year contract, which would see him earn more than he currently earns at Inter.
“Then he called me,” Calhanoglu said. “I stopped him straight away and said: ‘Talk to Inter, not me.'”
“I will do what they want,” said the Turkey international. “I can only thank this club and everyone who is part of it.”
Calhanoglu said Inter “always helped and supported me”.
“Especially (Inter sporting director Piero) Ausilio,” he added. “He was very important to me, both on a sporting and personal level.”
Calhanoglu said Ausilio “gave me confidence and made me realize that I could be a top player for Inter.”
“And that’s how it happened. This is why it will always be Inter who will decide for me.
Calhanoglu said joining Inter from AC Milan in 2021 was “a major change in my life”.
“Because moving here from Milan is not easy.” » admitted the Turk. “But I always loved Inter, even in the past.”
“From my first day at the Nerazzurri, an extraordinary journey began.”
“It marked my career,” Calhanoglu said. “And made me become the player I am now.”
And regarding the prospect of finishing his career in an Inter shirt, Calhanoglu said “I hope so.”
“Especially because I’m not that young anymore,” admitted the Turkish international.
“And then in football, you never know what’s going to happen,” Calhanoglu added. “But I will definitely stay here as long as possible.”
Praise for Simone Inzaghi and Kristjan Asllani
Meanwhile, Calhanoglu gave his opinion on Simone Inzaghi, the coach who brought him to Inter.
“He saw my quality and my intelligence on the pitch,” said the midfielder.
“He had the intuition to transform me from mezzala to regista.”
“And that was the turning point in my career.”
“I remember a few years ago I already faced him when he was coaching Lazio,” Calhanoglu noted.
“It was a team that played good football.”
“Then the phone calls with him before I arrived at Inter come to mind,” Calhanoglu continued. “His words were inspiring and convinced me it was the right choice.”
“He tried so hard to convince me to join him,” the 30-year-old said of Inzaghi.
“We both arrived at the same time and after three and a half years we can say we have done something great.”
Meanwhile, Calhanoglu also praised his teammate Kristjan Asllani. The Albanian is the player who is his understudy in the midfield position.
“For me, he’s like a little brother,” Calhanoglu said of Asllani.
“I help him. And I must say that he listens a lot to what I have to say.
“He definitely has a lot of great qualities,” Calhanoglu said of Asllani. “But he has to improve, and he’s the first person to understand that.”
“Especially since if you play for Inter you always have something to prove.”
“He’s learning,” Calhanoglu continued. “And we’re here to help.”
“I am sure that after I leave he can be a top player.”
As for the “secret” of Inter’s success, Calhanoglu identified “the locker room, the group”.
“As soon as I arrived here, I discovered that the people here are different.”
“I immediately felt warmth,” said the Turk. “It’s like being with family.”
“It’s a totally comfortable feeling. And everyone feels important.
Calhanoglu: “The door is always open for newcomers and everyone is ready to help them.”
“It’s not easy to create an environment like this,” he stressed. “But that’s what makes the difference.”
Calhanoglu on Champions League dreams
Calhanoglu then argued that so far this season Inter are “90 percent”.
“We are still missing something to be at the highest level,” admitted the 30-year-old.
“But this season is much more intense than the last.”
“We play every three days,” Calhanoglu said. “Non-stop.”
The Turk admitted that “there is less rest”.
“But with the depth and rotation of the team, we are able to manage our strengths well.”
“We will be able to raise our level when the time comes,” Calhanoglu predicted confidently.
And in the Champions League, Calhanoglu argued that Inter were “aware that we can compete with anyone”.
“There are two or three other particularly strong teams,” said the 30-year-old. “They are certainly dangerous.”
“But we have come a long way, which has allowed us to grow, and at the same time, we have experienced fewer ups and downs than before.”
“Now Inter are a cohesive team,” Calhanoglu continued. “We worked hard to achieve this and we brought Inter back to the level they deserve.”
“Our goal as players is to represent Inter in the best way possible. And that’s what we do.
When asked if his dream as a player would be to win the Champions League, Calhanoglu replied “Yes, but my dream is to win it in the Nerazzurri jersey.”
“I won everything in Italy with Inter,” Calhanoglu noted. “At this point, all I’m missing is Europe.”
“As I said, we are on the right track,” he concluded.
