Hakan Calhanoglu has shed more light on his decision to leave AC Milan for rivals Inter, admitting other clubs expressed interest.
Calhanoglu crossed the divide in 2021, moving from Milan to Inter on a free transfer, and the rage still burns on for many. Some supporters saw it as a betrayal, especially when the Turk went on to become a key player under Simone Inzaghi, moving back to the regista role.
Calhanoglu chose Inter over Juventus and Barcelona
The Nerazzurri midfielder spoke to KAFA Sports and discussed various topics with the correspondents of the Turkish YouTube channel. He spoke a bit more about leaving the Rossoneri for the other side of the city, and Calciomercato.com relayed his words.
“First of all, you had to prove your worth and that you were in good health. And then you also had to convince the fans that you would always give 100%,” he said.
“My first game, however, went well: I scored and provided an assist. I was genuinely excited about that game; it was a new experience, let’s say a transition in my career.
“We waited until the last minute for Milan to make an offer for a renewal, but it never arrived. At that point my agent arrived and told me that there was an offer from Barcelona and that Juventus was also interested.
“At the last minute. Inzaghi kept calling us, he really wanted me. At that moment I asked myself, ‘How can you go from Milan to Inter?’ The agent told me, ‘Sleep on it, then call me when you wake up.’ I accepted. It was my decision. When I told my family, they accepted it.”
A curse seemed to follow Hakan around, given that Inter won the league the season before he joined them, then he had to watch his old team-mates celebrate as Milan won the title in 2021-22. However, he has since tasted Scudetto glory in 2023-24.