Inter Milan Star Reveals Background On Bayern Munich Transfer Saga, Champions League Dreams | OneFootball

Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has revealed some background on his summer transfer links to Bayern Munich.

The 30-year-old spoke to Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews. He also talked about his Champions League dreams, and teammate Kristjan Asllani.

Last summer, Inter midfielder Calhanoglu was the subject of some very high profile transfer rumours.

There were reports that German giants Bayern Munich were sounding out a move.

These only lasted for a few days.

However, for as long as the prospect of Calhanoglu leaving was in the air, there was a sense that it could have greatly changed the course of Inter’s plans.

Calhanoglu is a key player for the Nerazzurri. Last season he was not just Inter’s most important midfielder – he was also named as the best midfielder in Serie A.

Therefore, the fact that a club of Bayern’s stature were trying to sign the Turk away caused a lot of worry around Inter.

Inter Midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu Reveals Background On Bayern Munich Transfer Links

Eventually, Calhanoglu himself felt the need to intervene publicly. He released a statement in which he made clear that he was “happy” at Inter and had no intention of leaving.

Calhanoglu looked back on the circumstances of the transfer rumours. “It was during the Euros,” the Inter midfielder said.

“My agent didn’t tell me anything until everything had all been done.”

Reportedly Bayern had made Calhanoglu the offer of a four-year contract, which would see him earn more than he currently does at Inter.

“Then he called me,” Calhanoglu said. “I stopped him right away and told him: ‘Talk to Inter, not to me.'”

“I’ll do whatever they want,” the Turkish international said. “I can only thank this club and everyone who’s a part of it.”

Calhanoglu said that Inter “have always helped and supported me.”

“In particular [Inter Sporting Director Piero] Ausilio,” he added. “He’s been very important for me, both on a sporting and on a personal level.”

Calhanoglu said that Ausilio “gave me confidence and made me understand that I could be a top player for Inter.”

“And that’s how it was. That’s why it will always be Inter that decides for me.”

Calhanoglu said that joining Inter from AC Milan in 2021 was “a major change in my life.”

“Because moving here from Milan isn’t easy.” the Turk admitted. “But I always liked Inter, even in the past.”

“From my first day at the Nerazzurri, an extraordinary journey began.”

“It’s left it’s mark on my career,” Calhanoglu said. “And made me become the player I am now.”

And as far as the prospect of ending his career in an Inter shirt, Calhanoglu said “I hope so.”

“Particularly because I’m not all that young anymore,” the Turkish international admitted.

“And then in football, you never know what’s going to happen,” Calhanoglu added. “But I’ll definitely stay here as long as possible.”

High Praise For Simone Inzaghi & Kristjan Asllani

Meanwhile, Calhanoglu gave his thoughts on Simone Inzaghi, the coach who brought him to Inter.

“He saw my quality and intelligence on the pitch,” the midfielder said.

“He had the intuition to convert me from a mezzala into a regista.”

“And that was the turning point in my career.”

“I remember a few years ago, I’d already faced him when he was coaching Lazio,” Calhanoglu noted.

“They were a team that played good football.”

“Then, the phone calls with him before I arrived at Inter come to mind,” Calhanoglu went on. “His words were inspiring, and convinced me that it was the right choice.”

“He pushed so hard to convince me to join,” the 30-year-old said of Inzaghi.

“We both arrived at the same time, and after three and a half years, we can say that we’ve done something great.”

Meanwhile, Calhanoglu also praised his teammate Kristjan Asllani. The Albanian is the player who is his understudy in the holding midfield position.

“For me, he’s like a little brother,” Calhanoglu said of Asllani.

“I’m helping him. And I have to say, he listens to what I have to say a lot.”

“He certainly has a lot of great qualities,” Calhanoglu said of Asllani. “But he needs to improve, and he’s the first person to understand that.”

“Particularly because, if you play for Inter, you always have something to prove.”

“He’s learning,” Calhanoglu continued. “And we’re here to help him.”

“I’m sure that after I’m gone, he can be a top player.”

As far as the “secret” of Inter’s success, Calhanoglu identified “the dressing room, the group.”

“As soon as I arrived here, I found that the people here are different.”

“I immediately felt the warmth,” the Turk said. “The feeling is like being with family.”

“It’s a totally comfortable feeling. And everyone feels important.”

Calhanoglu that “The door is always open for new arrivals, and everyone’s willing to help them out.”

“It’s not easy building an environment like this,” he noted. “But it’s what makes the difference.”

Calhanoglu On Champions League Dreams

Calhanoglu then argued that so far this season, Inter have been at “90 percent.”

“We’re still missing something to be at the top level,” the 30-year-old admitted.

“But this season is a lot more intense than last one.”

“We’re playing every three days,” Calhanoglu said. “Non-stop.”

The Turk admitted that “There’s less rest.”

“But thanks to the squad depth and rotation, we’re able to manage our forces well.”

“We’ll be able to raise our level when the time is right,” Calhanoglu confidently predicted.

And in the Champions League, Calhanoglu argued that Inter are “aware that we can compete wth anyone.”

“There are two or three other particularly strong teams,” the 30-year-old said. “They’re certainly dangerous.”

“But we’ve been on a great path, which has allowed us to grow, and at the same time, has seen less of the ups and downs from before.”

“Now Inter are a consistent team,” Calhanoglu continued. “We’ve worked hard to achieve this, and we’ve brought Inter back to the level it deserves.”

“Our goal as players is to represent Inter in the best way possible. And we’re doing that.”

Asked if his dream as a player would be to win the Champions Legaue, Calhanoglu replied “Yes, but my dream is to win it in the Nerazzurri shirt.”

“I’ve won everything in Italy with Inter,” Calhanoglu noted. “At this point, all I’m missing is Europe.”

“As I said, we’re on the right path,” he concluded.