After four seasons at the heart of Inter Milan’s midfield, Hakan Calhanoglu looks destined to leave the club this summer.
The fallout from the Nerazzurri’s Club World Cup loss to Fluminense has accelerated the Turkish international’s likely departure, with Galatasaray closing in on a deal.
Inter Transfer News: Calhanoglu Nearing Exit
According to Sky Sport Italia, tensions flared post-match between Inter captain Lautaro Martinez, president Beppe Marotta, and Calhanoglu. The midfielder’s own cryptic social media response only added fuel to speculation about a growing rift inside the club.
Reports now suggest Calhanoglu has already agreed to personal terms with Galatasaray, who are ready to offer the 31-year-old a €10 million per season contract on a multi-year deal.
Despite his age, Inter won’t let him leave for cheap. The Nerazzurri are demanding at least €30–40 million, pricing out most clubs except those willing to match his wages and valuation.
For those looking to place early transfer bets, the best offshore sportsbooks are now listing updated odds on Serie A summer moves, including Calhanoglu’s next destination.
Calhanoglu Replacements: Inter Midfield Targets
If Calhanoglu departs as expected, Inter have already lined up a shortlist of replacements, all of whom bring different qualities to Christian Chivu’s tactical setup.
Nicolo Rovella
The most ambitious target is Nicolo Rovella, currently with Lazio. The 23-year-old is seen as a natural fit for Inter’s midfield anchor role thanks to his composure, vision, and ability to dictate tempo.
However, Lazio’s €50 million release clause complicates negotiations. Inter have already tried to drive the price down to €40 million for Rovella, but Lazio rejected the approach.
Club president Claudio Lotito is known for driving a hard bargain, but Inter’s board is considering reinvesting the bulk of the Calhanoglu fee into securing Rovella.
Ederson
Another major candidate is Ederson, fresh off a stellar campaign with Atalanta. The Brazilian’s blend of physicality, tactical discipline, and work rate would bring a different dynamic to Inter’s midfield core.
But once again, the price is steep. Ivan Juric’s side reportedly won’t entertain offers below €50 million either, meaning Inter may need to negotiate a structured deal with add-ons or player swaps.
Adrian Bernabe
A wildcard option is Adrian Bernabe of Parma, who has caught the eye in Serie A, Serie B, and with Spain’s youth teams.
At 24, he’s not as proven as Rovella or Ederson but could represent value, especially if Inter aims to spread their transfer budget across multiple positions.
Parma reportedly wants a fee of at least €25 million for the Spaniard.
Calhanoglu’s Inter Career: A Brief Recap
Calhanoglu joined Inter from city rivals Milan in 2021 and has made over 130 appearances in all competitions. His technical quality, set-piece delivery, and football IQ made him a key figure under Simone Inzaghi and a vital part of Inter’s 2023–24 Scudetto run.
The Turkey captain also played an integral part in both the 2023 and 2025 Champions League final runs. He leaves having won one Serie A league title, two Coppa Italia cups, and three Supercoppa Italiana cups.
But with a breakdown in internal relations and a big-money offer on the table from Galatasaray, it appears his time in Nerazzurri colors is coming to an end.
