Arsenal are reportedly set to have a summer battle with Chelsea for Hamburg midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, according to reports in the Express.
The 20 year old has been in fine form for the German side, scoring 11 goals and managing 4 assists from 32 league appearances. His style of play has seen him dubbed as the next Frank Lampard, which is high praise in English football.
The report states that the Turkish U-20 international wants to make a move to the Premier League. Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, is aware of the youngster’s versatile nature, and wants to add him to the Gunners’ squad to provide more energy in the heart of his side’s midfield.
Calhanoglu has also confirmed that he wants to leave the German club this summer so he can emulate the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He said:
I told them [Hamburg] that I want to go – no matter whether we play in the first or second division.
I would definitely leave Hamburg. The fact is, I want to play in Europe and I want to make my parents happy.
I want to go as far as Ronaldo and Messi. I want to be a world star.
The youngster is primarily an advanced midfield schemer, who mainly operates in the gaps between defensive and attacking areas. He has the engine and technical guile to succeed in a more withdrawn role, and can also operate wide. His goals tally this season prove he is capable of adding greater scoring potential to a midfield, something Chelsea’s Frank Lampard is well known for.
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He is yet another cultured attacking midfielder that many feel we don’t need, as we already have Özil, Cazorla, and Rosicky. We also have young stars such as Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, but a closer look shows there is room for this budding young star, as age is becoming a factor in key areas. Cazorla and Rosicky are now 29 and 33 respectively, and holding players, Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta, are also close to the ends of their careers.
His creative touch and underrated physicality make him ideal for Wenger’s style of play. He is valued at just over £6 million, which is a bargain for a player with such obvious potential. He is not a primary need for Arsenal, but if we sign him he will add some youth and also serve in the midfield as a rotation option.
Do we need another midfielder? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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