Barcelona have reportedly made contact with the representatives of Hakan Calhanoglu with the Catalans eyeing him as an alternative for Georginio Wijnaldum.

According to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes, Barcelona have held talks with Hakan Calhanoglu’s representatives to assess the possibility of a transfer this summer as the AC Milan playmaker near the expiry of his contract.

Having been with AC Milan since 2017, Calhanoglu has grown into an integral player for the Rossoneri and enjoyed an impressive 2020/21 campaign, finishing with nine goals and twelve assists from 43 games across all competitions, playing a key role in the club finishing second in the Serie A standings.

Hakan Calhanoglu set for Barcelona in the summer? (Photo by Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images)
Hakan Calhanoglu set for Barcelona in the summer? (Photo by Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images)

However, Calhanoglu is staring at an uncertain future at San Siro with his contract expiring at the end of June and talks over a new deal not progressing as planned. This has led to interest from the likes of Liverpool, with Barcelona also now taking note of the 27-year-old’s situation as they look to bolster their midfield unit this summer.

Indeed, Barcelona have been ardently pursuing a new midfielder heading into the new season with Liverpool ace Georginio Wijnaldum widely expected to make the move to Camp Nou with his contract expiring at Anfield. However, things have taken a turn over the past few days as PSG have made a late move to try and snare him away from the Catalans, leading to the transfer stalling.

While Barcelona remain hopeful of completing the signing of the Netherlands international, they are now preparing a Plan B in case a move does not come to fruition, which is where Calhanoglu enters the picture.

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The Blaugrana are eyeing the Turkish international as an alternative for Wijnaldum, given that he is adept at playing in a three-man midfield unit as well as a No. 10, which would allow manager Ronald Koeman to switch to his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. What makes the transfer even more appealing is the fact that Calhanoglu is three years younger than Wijnaldum and would also come in on a free transfer.

To that end, Barcelona have established contact with Calhanoglu’s camp to check whether the midfielder would be open to a summer switch to Camp Nou. It now remains to be seen if the Catalans are successful in their pursuit of primary target Wijnaldum or whether they will have to make a push for the signing of the AC Milan playmaker this summer.

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