Arsenal make Hakan Calhanoglu ‘contract offer’ to AC Milan midfielder

Arsenal are aiming to make the most of the most of their limited budget by submitting an offer to Hakan Calhanoglu at AC Milan, who is becoming a free agent at the end of the season.

The words ‘free agent’ have morphed into a terrifying term attributed to ageing, unwanted stars who are demanding too much money off their parent clubs or are simply not worth renewing to keep around the place. At least for Arsenal they are.

Willian is the most recent example, with Stephan Lichtsteiner just before him, proving that a lack of transfer fees parted with does not necessarily constitute clever business. Sead Kolasinac and Yaya Sanogo were two younger free transfers before them who haven’t added to the allure of players out of contract.

It can work, though.

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Arsenal make Hakan Calhanoglu ‘contract offer’ with AC Milan midfielder becoming a free agent the summer transfer window

Especially if your bank balance reads poorly and the player in question is of a suitable age and experience. Hakan Calhanoglu should be about 35 given he’s managed to be linked with a move to the Premier League for what feels likes decades. In fact he isn’t – he’s just turned 27 – and his time at AC Milan looks like it’s coming to an end.

With his deal expiring in the summer, to remain at San Siro the Turk is asking for money that Milan won’t offer him. A stand-off is taking place and the likely outcome is better wages elsewhere, something Arsenal are seeking to do.

As per Sky Italia, Arsenal and Chelsea have both submitted offers to the midfielder’s camp in a bid to tie his services down beyond the end of the campaign, rivaling a similar offer from Juventus.

Calhanoglu is after €5m-per-year without bonuses, while the Rossoneri won’t go higher than €4m – they have ‘no intention’ of doing so. It’s stated that Juventus’ offer is more financially alluring than the Premier League pair, putting them in the driving seat, although there is no reason for the Gunners not to up their offer if they are serious.

€5m-per-year roughly equates to £80k-per-week without factoring tax and bonuses, fairly tame expenditure in comparison to the ‘Champions League wages’ that many of Mikel Arteta’s squad are earning.

Should they pursue this deal?

Should Arsenal Sign Hakan Calhanoglu?

Having been linked with Calhanoglu seemingly every year, it would be completely understandable to brush off the notion of signing him, perhaps even out of boredom.

What is apparent is that Arsenal are making contingency plans in case of failure to re-sign Martin Odegaard, an eventuality they absolutely have to account for.

But maybe they’re looking at additions, not alternatives?

Statistically, Calhanoglu is on another planet when it comes to creativity this season. Across the top five leagues, only Neymar and Lionel Messi have more shot creating actions (SCA90) than his 6.36, a figure that surpasses even Kevin De Bruyne. His 0.35 expected assists per 90 minutes (xA) put him comfortably in 12th across all players in the top five leagues and his 77 key passes (passes directly leading to a shot) is bettered by only Bruno Fernandes.

Thus, statistically speaking, he’ll add the creativity in forward areas that Arteta is after. He’s also versatile, operating either in wide areas or in central midfield aside from his usual attacking midfield slot, and has superb dead ball ability. Arsenal have scored just four set piece goals all season, and just one from a direct free-kick.

Is he the creative midfielder Arsenal need or want? No, that’s Odegaard.

However, realistically, this team is lacking in quality. Actual quality. Calhanoglu is untested in the Premier League and comes with no certainties, but on manageable wages and with his ability he could suit as a solid squad option, even with Odegaard returning.

On the contrary, however, this is precisely what Arsenal should be gravitating away from. Supporters are sick of being a last stop in most players’ careers. The club they’ll play for before inevitably moving back to their boyhood club somewhere on the continent.

Is Calhanoglu different and in fact an opportunity that shouldn’t be wasted considering how cash-strapped Arsenal are? Similar to when a player over the age of 30 is still good enough to cut it and you bend your rules to offer them a two-year extension as opposed to 12 months, the Turkish midfielder could be an exception. Edu and Arteta sure feel that way.