Al-Nassr advances in negotiations with Inter Milan for the signing of Hakan Çalhanoglu

Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr have stepped up their pursuit of Hakan Çalhanoglu, with negotiations advancing rapidly as the club seeks to make the Inter Milan playmaker a marquee addition to its midfield this summer.

Sources in Italy told SportItalia that discussions between the parties have intensified in recent days, with the Saudi outfit tabling a package described as “well above European market standards” in both transfer fee and salary. The prposed deal aims to lure the 30-year-old Turkish international away from San Siro, where he remains a central figure but has recently faced internal tensions with teammates.

Al-Nassr’s Midfield Upgrade Plan

The Riyadh club, home to Cristiano Ronaldo, is targeting a deep-lying playmaker capable of dictating tempo and unlocking defenses a role Çalhanoglu has mastered in Serie A.

“He’s a player who can change the level of any team,” a source close to the talks told Italian media, underlining Al-Nassr’s view of the former AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen star as a potential game-changer.

Inter, however, are expected to drive a hard bargain, having placed a €40 million price tag on their captain. The Nerazzurri are reluctant to part with a player who has been central to their domestic and European campaigns.

Galatasaray Interest Fizzled Out

Before Al-Nassr entered the frame, Galatasaray had explored the idea of bringing Çalhanoglu back to Turkey. However, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Süper Lig champions never lodged a formal bid.

One stumbling block was financial: the midfielder currently earns around €7.5 million net per season plus bonuses, and is believed to be seeking a raise along with a minimum three-year contract terms that proved prohibitive for Galatasaray’s budget.

Saudi Rival Could Intervene

Al-Nassr are not alone in eyeing the Inter playmaker. League rivals Al-Hilal are also monitoring the situation and could move if talks between Al-Nassr and Inter stall.

With the Saudi transfer window heating up, Çalhanoglu’s future is expected to be resolved in the coming days. His decision whether to remain in Europe or embrace the lucrative challenge of the Pro League could set one of the summer’s biggest midfield moves in motion.