Manchester United have now made contact with the agents of a £34m star, who's "the best in his role in the world", journalist Orazio Accomando has revealed.
Man Utd lacking cutting edge in attack
Man United's 2024-25 campaign was one of their worst in modern history, but they still managed to create 400 chances in the Premier League, the sixth-highest total in the top flight.
Those figures suggest that a lack of cutting edge in attack is the real issue, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee scoring just seven goals between them, so it is little wonder the Red Devils are now stepping up their pursuit of a new striker.
However, Ruben Amorim may also be keen to relieve the burden of creating chances which currently rests on Bruno Fernandes, with the Portugal international directly involved in just under half of the 44 Premier League goals United scored last season.
As such, an approach has now been made for a new creative midfielder, with Accomando taking to X to reveal Man United have now made contact with the agents of Inter Milan star Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who is looking to leave the Italian club this summer.
The maestro is eager to return to his home country and sign for Galatasaray, but the Turkish champions are unable to offer more than €15m (£13m), with Inter looking to hold out for a figure close to €40m (£34m).
Manchester United's Casemiro looks dejected after the match Related
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The Red Devils are prepared to make an offer for a midfielder, who could be brought in to replace Casemiro.
Fulham have also made contact over a deal for Çalhanoğlu, and if a bidding war breaks out, Galatasaray could find it very difficult to get a deal over the line.
Çalhanoğlu impressing in Serie A for Inter Milan
The 31-year-old has been a regular source of goals and assists for Inter over a number of years, picking up 70 goal contributions in 182 appearances for the Italian club, indicating he could provide support to Fernandes in attack.
However, the Inter and Turkey star has most commonly featured in a deep-lying playmaker role, where he has flourished, according to Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella, who said: "Hakan has been the best in his role in the world in recent years."
Inter Milan's Hakan Calhanoglu during the warm up before the match
The 2025 Champions League finalist is in doubt over his ability, having also ranked himself alongside some of the world's best midfielders, saying: "I’m not far from De Bruyne or Modric. Maybe in this period, those who play in the Premier League have more visibility."
Having never played in the Premier League before, a move to Old Trafford would provide Çalhanoğlu with the opportunity to prove himself as one of the best in the world, although United should be cautious about paying £34m for a 31-year-old.