Inter Milan is pushing to finalize a contract renewal with midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu by the end of the year, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported.
The club aims to conclude the deal, which comes with complex financial negotiations, before the holiday season.
Calm Words, Tense Talks
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 32-year-old was reassured by Inter, and both parties share the intention to move forward together and resolve the matter swiftly, with a Christmas deadline seen as a realistic target.
While a resolution is possible, the outcome hinges on finding a common ground on financial terms. The key development is the renewed contact and a mutual understanding of the situation, even though his current contract expires in less than eight months.
From Tension to Optimism
The situation was not always so calm. Earlier this season, Hakan Calhanoglu was open about his future. In an interview, he expressed his happiness in Milan but also his uncertainty.
“I am happy to be here. In Milan, where my wife and I have integrated very well, and at Inter. We have many friends, the children go to school. The future, however, does not depend on me, but on the club.”
He clarified that he had not received any contact regarding a renewal, stating, “The future does not depend on me because there has been no contact for a renewal. I am a footballer and I think about playing. But in five years I think we have done many good things: 8 trophies, 2 Champions League finals. The fans love me and I love them. We will see what happens.”
This sentiment suggested Calhanoglu suspected the club was hesitant to offer a lucrative, long-term contract.
Inter’s Financial Strategy
The recent mood shift is attributed to Inter taking concrete steps to honor its commitments. The club's move to extend Federico Dimarco's contract until 2028 with a pay raise to 5.2 million euros net per year sets a precedent. Dimarco’s deal, secured well in advance, serves as a model for the Calhanoglu negotiation.
Calhanoglu currently earns 6.5 million euros net annually, a high salary from a previous contract. However, Inter’s policy, influenced by its financial backer Oaktree, is to reduce fixed salaries for older players, Calciomercato reported. The club’s strategy for players over 30 is to offer shorter contracts, ideally annual, with reduced base pay linked to bonuses for performance and appearances.
According to Calciomercato, Inter plans to propose a deal where Calhanoglu’s fixed salary is cut by more than half, compensated by bonuses tied to appearances, goals, and individual and team performance. This approach is partly based on his history of injuries over the past two years, which makes the club cautious about offering a large guaranteed sum.
What’s on the Table
The proposal is not to drastically reduce the total earnings but to change its structure. While the base salary would be significantly lower, bonuses could ensure the total package is not much smaller than his current 6.5 million euros. However, it would lack the same level of financial security.
Calhanoglu Prioritizes Staying in Milan for His Family
Despite the financial complexities, a resolution appears likely. A new meeting between Inter’s directors and Calhanoglu’s representatives is expected soon. There is optimism from both sides that a solution will be found.
Calhanoglu’s personal desire to stay in Milan is a major factor. In his interview, he highlighted his family’s deep integration into the city, stating, “We have many friends, the children go to school.” This personal stake means he is unlikely to consider serious offers from other Serie A clubs at this time. His priority is to remain with the Inter.
Inter is also working on long-term deals with other key players, with Carlos Augusto close to signing an extension until 2031 and Marcus Thuram looking to renegotiate his contract that runs until 2028. The club’s stance, as La Gazzetta dello Sport noted, is that “no one is aiming to break with Inter. And Inter, under certain conditions, will not send anyone away.”
Negotiations Target Christmas Deadline to Bridge Contract Gaps
The goal is to bridge the gap on the contract’s financial structure and duration, with a Christmas deadline providing a clear target for both parties. The negotiation will focus on balancing the club’s policy for older players with the player’s value and personal wishes to remain in Milan. The current contract is set to expire in June 2027.
