MANCHESTER UNITED are set to miss out on Hakan Calhanoglu with the midfielder close to signing a new contract at AC Milan, according to reports.
German publication Bild recently claimed the Red Devils were ‘very, very likely’ to sign the Turkish midfielder on a free transfer next summer.
AC Milan are set to deal Man Utd a bitter blow by offering Hakan Calhanoglu a new contractCredit: Reuters
But now AC Milan are set to reward Calhanoglu’s strong form this season with a new contract worth £4m a year.
Milan have enjoyed a superb start to 2020-21, sitting top of Serie A after seasons dwindling in the mid-table.
And Calhanoglu, 26, has been a key figure, scoring five times and laying on a further five assists in 17 matches in all competitions.
Fearing they would lose the Turkey international on a free transfer, Tuttosport have claimed Milan have offered him a new and improved contract.
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Calhanoglu had been stalling on a new contract, demanding around £5.5m per season – nearly double his current £3m-a-year deal.
But after talks, it’s believed the two clubs agreed to a compromise, with the midfield star set to pocket around £4m a season.
Clubs in Europe, including Man Utd, would have been able to kick-off pre-contract negotiations in January ahead of a free summer move.
Meanwhile, United are looking at Atletico Madrid’s former Tottenham star Kieran Trippier ahead of the January transfer window.
With just 18 months left on his contract in Spain, the England international is said to fancy a move to his boyhood club.
United are in desperate need of back-up at the right-back spot, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka currently the only first-team option.
Trippier is set to cost any potential suitor around £20million.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also thought to be keen on Sporting Lisbon left-back Nuno Mendes in a bid to bolster his defensive ranks.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
