Hakan Calhanoglu’s future at Inter Milan has been settled for the immediate future, with the club opting to keep the Turkish midfielder for the 2026/27 season. This decision comes despite failing to reach an agreement on a contract extension beyond his current deal, which is set to expire in 2027.
This outcome can be viewed as a compromise, according to FCInter1908.
Calhanoglu had been hoping for a contract renewal that would match or exceed his current salary of €6.5 million per season. However, Oaktree’s well-known preference for younger players and strict limitations on contract renewals for players over 30 made this arrangement unfeasible.
Instead of allowing the situation to escalate, both parties have agreed to continue under the existing terms. Calhanoglu will complete his current contract, and the possibility of a longer-term arrangement remains open should circumstances change, including the midfielder’s potential willingness to accept a reduced salary.
Chivu instrumental in keeping Calhanoglu at Inter
Cristian Chivu has played a key role in resolving this situation. The Inter head coach considers Calhanoglu vital to his project and communicated this to the club’s leadership, who subsequently acted on his advice.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Chivu also helped mediate a significant dispute between Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez during the summer, highlighting the trust the Romanian coach has cultivated within the squad.
Despite experiencing some physical issues this season, missing 13 matches due to injury and a couple of precautionary absences, Calhanoglu has still managed to contribute 12 goals and seven assists. This performance underscores why Inter was unwilling to risk losing him. Interest from Galatasaray will have to wait for now.
