Galatasaray directors have publicly stated their belief that Hakan Çalhanoğlu will one day wear the club’s jersey, despite failing to secure his transfer from Inter Milan this summer.
The Turkish club’s pursuit of the 31-year-old midfielder has been a major storyline throughout the transfer window, fueled by Çalhanoğlu’s lifelong support for the team.
While Galatasaray’s latest signing, İlkay Gündoğan, was unveiled to the media, club officials used the opportunity to comment on the ongoing saga.
“Hakan wanted to come too, but the circumstances did not allow it,” a Galatasaray director said, as quoted in the press conference. “If not today, it will happen tomorrow. We are convinced Hakan will sooner or later wear the Galatasaray jersey.”
The director added that the club respects Çalhanoğlu’s desire to end his career in Istanbul. “He is still young. We respect and support his desire to end his career with us.”
The main obstacle to the transfer is Çalhanoğlu’s contract with Inter, which runs until June 2027. Inter is reportedly demanding a transfer fee of at least €20 million, a figure Galatasaray has been unwilling to meet.
While Gündoğan was able to join Galatasaray on a free transfer from Manchester City, Çalhanoğlu’s situation is different. Inter, a club that has reached the Champions League Final twice in the last three years, is not keen to part with a key player.
Despite the unlikelihood of a deal Galatasaray will continue negotiations with Inter until the Turkish transfer deadline on September 12.
