Milan have run out of patience with Hakan Calhanoglu, who has yet to respond to the club’s proposal over a contract extension. As reported by Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews), the Rossoneri are lining up a bid for the in-demand Udinese playmaker Rodrigo De Paul.
It’s been a while since Milan pitched Calhanoglu with an offer to extend his career at the San Siro. With the Turk’s contract running out in a month, the seven-time European Cup winners are no longer willing to wait for the attacking midfielder’s answer.
With no sign of a breakthrough in extension talks, the Rossoneri’s attention has shifted towards De Paul, who enjoyed another outstanding individual season at the Dacia Arena. Newly-crowned La Liga champions Atletico Madrid are also interested in taking the Argentine back to Spain, which could derail Milan’s hopes of securing his signature.
Well aware of growing interest in their standout performer, the Friuliani have pinned a hefty €40M price tag on De Paul’s head. Paolo Maldini is hopeful of bringing down the price by including Jens Petter Hauge as a makeweight in the deal.
The Norwegian winger has tumbled down the pecking order at the San Siro since the calendar flipped to 2021 and might leave the club after just one year. Hauge’s price tag sits at €15M, and he is the type of player Udinese would like to have in their attacking ranks next season.
Following a torrid two-year stint at Valencia, De Paul has established himself as one of the finest playmakers in Serie A. During his five-year spell at Udinese, the 26-year-old has notably improved all aspects of his game, including his defending.
Despite Calhanoglu’s rise to stardom in 2020-21, De Paul’s arrival could make up for the Turkey international’s potential departure, given his playing style bears much resemblance to the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man.