Galatasaray’s daring pursuit of Hakan Çalhanoğlu has stalled after Inter Milan demanded a shock participant swap, throwing chilly water on what had appeared like a landmark transfer for the Turkish giants.
The Lions, contemporary off signing Leroy Sane from Bayern Munich, focused the 31-year-old Inter playmaker to anchor their midfield for the 2025-26 marketing campaign.
But negotiations unraveled when Inter proposed an sudden change – Çalhanoğlu for Galatasaray’s breakout Brazilian midfielder, Gabriel Sara.
Inter’s worth, Galatasaray’s pushback
Çalhanoğlu, a mainstay in Simone Inzaghi’s Inter aspect and captain of Türkiye at Euro 2024, is valued at 30 million euros ($35 million) by the Nerazzurri.
With 23 objectives and 37 assists in 151 appearances since becoming a member of Inter in 2021, the midfielder stays below contract till 2027 and is seen as irreplaceable.
Galatasaray initially expressed readiness to barter, however Inter’s counteroffer – a straight swap with 26-year-old Sara – was met with swift rejection.
The Istanbul membership noticed the deal as lopsided, citing age distinction, market worth disparity, and Sara’s significance to educate Okan Buruk’s tactical setup.
Sara: The untouchable
Signed for 18 million euros from Norwich City in 2024, Sara has shortly change into one in every of Galatasaray’s most constant performers.
His 4 objectives and 6 assists within the Süper Lig (as of October 2025) mirror his rising affect, and his adaptability in a high-press midfield system has made him a fixture in Buruk’s beginning XI.
Despite Çalhanoğlu’s pedigree, membership sources stated parting with Sara would contradict their youth-focused switch philosophy. Sporting director Cenk Ergün reportedly knowledgeable Inter that the membership would solely resume talks if the swap situation was scrapped.
Saudi twist
As Galatasaray backs away, Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Hilal has entered the fray.
Newly managed by Simone Inzaghi, who coached Çalhanoğlu at Inter, the Riyadh-based membership is ready to match Inter’s 30 million euro valuation outright.
But Çalhanoğlu’s stance stays unclear.
Despite Al-Hilal’s monetary firepower, the midfielder has beforehand expressed a want to remain in Europe.
Sources recommend his childhood help for Galatasaray makes a return to Türkiye extra interesting – if a deal will be revived.
Galatasaray’s greater image
This failed negotiation is a blow to Galatasaray’s high-stakes summer time.
The acquisition of Sane signaled a Champions League push, and Çalhanoğlu was meant so as to add expertise and creativity within the coronary heart of midfield.
Now, consideration could flip to various targets, together with Dominik Szoboszlai of Leipzig and Porto’s Alan Varela – although neither would come low-cost.
Behind the scenes, Galatasaray is strolling a tightrope: investing in star names to fulfill fan expectations whereas defending a long-term venture constructed round rising expertise like Sara.
Source: www.dailysabah.com