AC Milan have a series of decisions to make in the postseason. The Italian giants are enjoying a resurgent season and are certain to secure European football. The Milan side is due to open contract negotiations with some of their players. However, reports claim one key star is stalling on signing an extension, and thus, is inviting interest from rivals.
Sky Sports Italy claims that Juventus are in the pole position to sign Hakan Calhanoglu on a free transfer, should the player fail to reach a contract extension with current club AC Milan. The midfielder is reported to be engaged in talks with the Rossoneri at the moment, who have also offered an extension to the veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Calhanoglu signed for Milan from Bayer Leverkusen for a transfer fee of €20 million in 2017. He initially signed a four-year deal at San Siro – one which he has not yet extended. Upon signing, the Turkey international was given the ‘number 10’ jersey at Milan, worn previously by some of the club greats, such as Ruud Gullit and Rui Costa.
As Milan went through several changes in managers and projects, Calhanoglu remained a key member of the first team. He started 45 games in his debut season before doing one better during the subsequent campaign. However, his importance to the team rose tenfold following Stefano Pioli’s appointment as the interim head coach. The Italian revived Milan’s fortunes midway through the 2019/20 season before being handed the full-time job. He built his team with Calhanoglu acting as the key creative threat in the hole behind the striker.
The report claims that Milan and Calhanoglu’s representatives are involved in talks to extend his deal. However, the player is currently unsatisfied with what the club is offering, as he wants a significant increase in his wages. Should the two parties fail to reach an agreement soon, Calhanoglu will be allowed to leave the club this summer for free.
Manchester United were reported to be keen on him in the past, and recent rumours indicate Chelsea have entered the race too. However, Milan’s rivals Juventus are said to be in the pole position to sign the Turkey international on a free transfer. The Bianconeri are experts in picking players up on free deals, as they did with Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo, and Aaron Ramsey in the past.
Meanwhile, one contract extension that AC Milan are bound to achieve is that of the veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede will turn forty later this year but has satisfied his current employers enough to be offered a new deal.
Ibrahimovic’s return to Milan has coincided with the club’s change in fortunes. The 39-year-old joined the club in January 2020, following a LA Galaxy spell. He scored ten goals in 18 league appearances in 2020, helping Milan secure a Europa League spot. Ibrahimovic has netted 15 times in 16 league appearances this season – a big contribution towards his team’s Champions League hopes.
Milan also have decisions to make regarding the futures of Mario Mandzukic and Fikayo Tomori. Mandzukic signed for the Rossoneri on a free deal in January 2021 to provide competition to Ibrahimovic and Rafael Leao. However, the ex-Juventus star has failed to make his mark so far for the club and is likely to leave after just six months – report Sky.
On the other hand, Tomori’s future in Milan is looking much more positive. The English defender was brought in by the club on loan from Chelsea. The two sides agreed to insert a ‘buy’ clause in his deal – one which his new team are interested in triggering.
