Galatasaray President clarifies on ‘chat’ with Inter star Calhanoglu | OneFootball

Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek confirms he spoke on the phone with Hakan Calhanoglu, but insists it was ‘not a transfer meeting.’

Galatasaray President Ozbek stated that he spoke to Inter star Calhanoglu, but their conversation was not related to a possible transfer to the Turkish club.

Galatasaray President confirms ‘chat’ with Calhanoglu

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 18: Yann Aurel Bisseck of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates Hakan Calhanoglu and Mehdi Taremi during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 18, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Calhanoglu is our pride and joy, an important player who has achieved success in Europe,” the Galatasaray President told reporters on Thursday via Sports Digitale.

“Every team would want him. However, my conversation with Hakan was unrelated to transfers. A friend of mine was talking to Hakan on the phone, and I just joined the chat and wished him success. This was not a transfer meeting.”

Inter stance on Calhanoglu

epa12006063 Inter Milan’s midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu celebrates scoring the equalizer during the Italian Cup semi final first leg soccer match between AC Milan and Inter Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Italy, 02 April 2025. EPA-EFE/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO

Football Italia reported on Wednesday that Galatasaray were interested in the Turkey national team captain, although Inter have not yet received a formal offer.

Calhanoglu’s Inter future remains uncertain, but if the Serie A giants were to sell their star, it would surely be for a high transfer fee.

Calhanoglu joined Inter on a free transfer from their city rivals Milan in the summer of 2021.

ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 16: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on December 16, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

The 31-year-old has played 182 games with the Nerazzurri, scoring 38 goals and providing 32 assists.

He has won one Serie A title, two Coppa Italia and three Supercoppa Italiana titles during his spell at the Stadio Meazza, where his contract expires in June 2027.