The Blues are ready to swoop for Hamburg’s Calhanoglu.
It looks as if Chelsea are edging closer to completing their first transfer of the close season with a £13m bid for Hamburger SV midfielder and Atletico Madrid target Hakan Calhanoglu, reports AS.
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The 20-year-old has been impressing in the Bundesliga this term, with 10 goals in 28 matches from a No.10 position and has been likened to Arsenal’s club record signing Mesut Ozil.
Like Ozil the attacking midfielder is German born but of Turkish decent, but unlike the Gunners star Calhanoglu has chosen to play for the country of his heritage and made his debut for Turkey against Andorra in 2013.
Atletico have shown interest in the youngster and were hoping that the presence of the midfielder’s national teammate Arda Turan at the Vicente Calderon Stadium would convince the Hamburg man to come to the Spanish capital.
However, with Blues boss Jose Mourinho recognising this the 51-year-old is aiming to use his club’s superior financial standing to tie up a deal for Calhanoglu as soon as possible.
The Turkey international generally likes to operate behind the striker, but with Oscar and Willian already playing in that position at Stamford Bridge the fact he can also play on the left or in a deeper position will be advantageous.
Calhanoglu came through the Karlsruher youth academy and progressed to the first team in January 2012, before a move to Hamburg six months later and then a loan back to his parent club.
It wasn’t until the current 2013/14 term that the Turkish star was given a chance at the Imtech Arena and has made 32 appearances to date.
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