Calhanoglu's contract situation puts Galatasaray and Fenerbahce on high alert
Quick summary
Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu is yet to renew his contract, alerting Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce who are monitoring his situation closely.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceHakan Calhanoglu is into the final year of his contract with Inter and the latest reports in Italy indicate that the Nerazzurri could allow the 32-year-old to walk away on a free transfer at the end of the 2026-27 season, which has put Galatasaray and Fenerbahce on high alert.
Gazzetta: Calhanoglu likely to leave Inter on a free transfer on June 30 Calhanoglu is now into his sixth season with the Nerazzurri, having joined on a free transfer after a four-year spell on the other side of San Siro with rivals Milan.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 17: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale Milano poses for a photo with the Coppa Campioni d’Italia and Coppa Italia trophies following the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) He has been part of a side that has won two Serie A titles over the last three full seasons, and also has three Coppa Italia, three Supercoppa Italiana and two Champions League runners-up medals in his collection.
He is now into the final year of his contract with Inter, which expires on June 30, 2027, and according to the latest reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, there have not been any discussions, nor are there currently any plans for an extension to his current deal.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that the most likely scenario is that Calhanoglu walks away on a free transfer at the end of the 2026-27 season. Monday’s report adds that the player and the club are only focussed on their work on the pitch at the start of the new campaign at the moment and that Calhanoglu is determined to end his Nerazzurri career on a high.
See more: Video: Inter’s Calhanoglu opens 2026-27 Serie A scoring with a screamer MILAN, ITALY – MAY 17: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale Milano lifts the Coppa Campioni d’Italia trophy following the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Inter’s midfield department is already well stocked this season with Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella, Curtis Jones, Piotr Zielinski, Petar Sucic, Aleksander Stankovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Andy Diouf, which is part of the reason why the Nerazzurri are not overly-concerned about Calhanoglu’s contract situation.
That said, the Turkey national team captain, who will turn 33 in February, is still a first-choice starter at the base of Cristian Chivu’s midfield three and that is not expected to change this season.
If he does become available on a free transfer next summer, Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, both of whom have shown interest in the midfielder over the last two years, are expected to be at the front of the queue.
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What happened
Hakan Calhanoglu's ongoing contract standoff with Inter Milan has put two of Turkey's biggest clubs, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, on high alert. The Turkish international midfielder, who joined Inter from AC Milan in 2021, has not yet reached an agreement on a new deal, with his current contract set to expire in the near future. Both Turkish Super Lig clubs are reportedly preparing approaches should Calhanoglu become available, viewing him as a marquee signing who could elevate their domestic and European ambitions. Inter, meanwhile, are said to be keen to retain the playmaker who has become central to their midfield.
Chance analysis
Calhanoglu's contract impasse at Inter Milan is the kind of situation that rarely stays quiet for long. Since arriving from rivals AC Milan in 2021, the Turkish international has become a key creative hub in Inter's midfield, and any departure would represent a significant restructuring challenge for Simone Inzaghi's side. The interest from Galatasaray and Fenerbahce adds a compelling subplot — both Turkish clubs have the financial muscle and sporting ambition to make a serious pitch, and a return to Turkey would be a landmark move for the Super Lig. Inter will be acutely aware that losing a player of Calhanoglu's calibre on a free transfer would be a major blow heading into a critical period of their squad planning.
Unresolved contract could weaken Inter's midfield long-term while alerting Turkish rivals to a potential marquee signing opportunity.