Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu reportedly to be included in a deal for RB Leipzig defender Upamecano

Hakan Calhanoglu could reportedly be headed back to the Bundesliga. AC Milan have been pursuing RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano in the summer transfer market and could look to use Calhanoglu in a deal to land the 20 year-old France U21 international.

Turkey international attacking midfielder Calhanoglu was brought to the San Siro during the summer spending spree of 2017, and after playing an important part of the turnaround in the 2017-18 season under Gennaro Gattuso. However, Calhanoglu had a poor 2018-19 season, only scoring four goals in 46 appearances in all competitions. He did add 12 assists, however, six of those came in Milan’s ill-fated Europa league campaign.

Calhanoglu has been linked with a return to Germany for months now, as it was rumored that more than a few clubs inquired about his availability last January, only to be rebuffed. Now with a new manager, and with Lucas Paqueta the team’s best attacking midfielder and a lack of wingers in Marco Giampaolo’s preferred formation, Calhanoglu doesn’t have a good claim for a starting position anymore. Therefore, it’s not surprising to see Calhanoglu tipped for a return to the Bundesliga.

Upamecano is a rising star, and has been linked a few times with a possible move to Milan, although he will cost a great deal of money to land. Using Calhanoglu as part of a deal makes sense, although the two teams might have different ideas on his value.

If this deal does work out, it would be a good more for Milan to use a surplus player that still has value to land a young central defender. However, Calhanoglu has been linked with a move away from Milan for awhile now and nothing’s happened, so don’t hold your breath.