Liverpool looking at the possibility to replace Oxlade Chamberlain with Hakan Çalhanoğlu
Liverpool are considering a midfield replacement after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sustained a major injury that will keep him out for several months. The Reds are said to be considering a deal for Inter Milan’s Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
According to CalcioMercatoWeb (h/t Liverpool Echo), Jurgen Klopp kept an eye on the Turkish playmaker earlier this summer but didn’t go after him. However, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s serious hamstring injury against Crystal Palace would give them more reasons to look for a transfer.
The 28-year-old would be expected to be sidelined for two to three months after tests revealed the degree of the damage he incurred.
Before the Premier League season kicks off, Klopp would be smart to consider signing a new midfielder to reinforce his team. Liverpool have also been to Adrien Rabiot of Juventus as well as AC Milan’s Ismael Bennacer.
Juventus would be open to letting Rabiot leave if the right offer comes through. However, Çalhanoğlu’s transfer would easily cost a fee of around €30 million, which is by no means a small sum.
Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with a move for the Turkish star. Despite the fact that the 28-year-old was just signed by the San Siro club last year, the player’s future in Milan could be hanging by a thread given the interest in him by other top teams.
Çalhanoğlu is a good passer of the ball who is excellent on set-pieces. He can play as a winger or behind the striker. With seven goals and 13 assists in 34 Serie A games, he was one of the best players in Italy in the last campaign.
However, his club were unable to stop AC Milan from winning the Scudetto last summer. With Liverpool interested in the Turkish star, Klopp could hand Calhanoglu an opportunity to play in the Premier League for the first time.
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However, Klopp would be no short of options as he would have numerous young talents to fill in the slot. It remains to be seen whether the manager prefers to splash the cash or wait until later in the season to have Oxlade Chamberlain back with his squad.