Newcastle linked with ‘outstanding’ 29-year-old who started in the last Champions League final

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United have now been linked with Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu who started their Champions League final defeat to Manchester City last season.

Newcastle are known to be in the market for a new midfielder with injuries and suspensions forcing the likes of 17-year-old Lewis Miley to be brought into the first team.

Inter Live are now reporting that Newcastle have emerged as a possible suitor for the Turkish international, though there is a lot of competition from Premier League teams.

Calhanoglu is a fan favourite at Inter

Inter supporters are believed to be big fans of Calhanoglu who has been at the club since 2021 where he joined for free from rivals AC Milan.

Calhanoglu enjoyed an ‘outstanding’ debut for Inter and he has not looked back since, netting six times in 17 games this season across Serie A and the Champions League and sparking interest from Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea.

With Sandro Tonali out suspended and both Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock injured, Eddie Howe could really do with adding more experienced players to his midfield in January, especially if they progress in Europe.

It will be tough for the whole team to go through the busy Christmas period with only the current midfielders available, but for Miley in particular it is a lot of pressure for someone so young and inexperienced.

That said, the teenager hasn’t looked out of place yet and is brimming with confidence every time he pulls on a black and white shirt.

Calhanoglu unlikely to be sold in January

Inter are doing brilliantly in Serie A this season, winning 11 of their first 14 games and sitting top of the division after finishing third last year.

As the report states, manager Simone Inzahgi has been very pleased with the contributions of Calhanoglu and Marcus Thuram, who is a target for Man United and Liverpool, and is not willing to part with them during the season.

Instead, Newcastle could look to bring Calhanoglu in the summer when Inter will have more time to prepare and find a replacement for the experienced midfielder.

It may not be ideal for Newcastle who need reinforcements now, but he will no doubt still be on their radar in the winter window.