Galatasaray’s bold pursuit of Hakan Çalhanoğlu has stalled after Inter Milan demanded a surprise player swap, throwing cold water on what had looked like a landmark move for the Turkish giants.
The Lions, fresh off signing Leroy Sane from Bayern Munich, targeted the 31-year-old Inter playmaker to anchor their midfield for the 2025-26 campaign.
But negotiations unraveled when Inter proposed an unexpected exchange – Çalhanoğlu for Galatasaray’s breakout Brazilian midfielder, Gabriel Sara.
Inter’s price, Galatasaray’s pushback
Çalhanoğlu, a mainstay in Simone Inzaghi’s Inter side and captain of Türkiye at Euro 2024, is valued at 30 million euros ($35 million) by the Nerazzurri.
With 23 goals and 37 assists in 151 appearances since joining Inter in 2021, the midfielder remains under contract until 2027 and is viewed as irreplaceable.
Galatasaray initially expressed readiness to negotiate, but Inter’s counteroffer – a straight swap with 26-year-old Sara – was met with swift rejection.
The Istanbul club saw the deal as lopsided, citing age difference, market value disparity, and Sara’s importance to coach Okan Buruk’s tactical setup.
Sara: The untouchable
Signed for 18 million euros from Norwich City in 2024, Sara has quickly become one of Galatasaray’s most consistent performers.
His four goals and six assists in the Süper Lig (as of October 2025) reflect his growing influence, and his adaptability in a high-press midfield system has made him a fixture in Buruk’s starting XI.
Despite Çalhanoğlu’s pedigree, club sources said parting with Sara would contradict their youth-focused transfer philosophy. Sporting director Cenk Ergün reportedly informed Inter that the club would only resume talks if the swap condition was scrapped.
Saudi twist
As Galatasaray backs away, Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Hilal has entered the fray.
Newly managed by Simone Inzaghi, who coached Çalhanoğlu at Inter, the Riyadh-based club is prepared to match Inter’s 30 million euro valuation outright.
But Çalhanoğlu’s stance remains unclear.
Despite Al-Hilal’s financial firepower, the midfielder has previously expressed a desire to stay in Europe.
Sources suggest his childhood support for Galatasaray makes a return to Türkiye more appealing – if a deal can be revived.
Galatasaray’s bigger picture
This failed negotiation is a blow to Galatasaray’s high-stakes summer.
The acquisition of Sane signaled a Champions League push, and Çalhanoğlu was meant to add experience and creativity in the heart of midfield.
Now, attention may turn to alternative targets, including Dominik Szoboszlai of Leipzig and Porto’s Alan Varela – though neither would come cheap.
Behind the scenes, Galatasaray is walking a tightrope: investing in star names to meet fan expectations while protecting a long-term project built around emerging talent like Sara.
Content Source: www.dailysabah.com