Stefano Pioli has confirmed that Milan are not looking to replace Hakan Calhanoglu as the transfer window approaches the business end. The Turkey international left a sizeable gap in the creative aspect when he joined fierce rivals Inter on a free transfer in the summer.
A notable upturn in form down the final two seasons of his life at Milan saw the 27-year-old grow into one of the most influential figures at the San Siro. Despite his rise to prominence, Calhanoglu refused to commit his future to the Rossoneri colors and instead went on to link up with the likes of Inter at the beginning of the summer.
With the Turk out of the picture, many had thought Milan would try to sign a player with similar characteristics to fill the void. However, Pioli has now effectively put such speculations to bed, saying they are not looking for Calhanoglu’s replacement.
“We are not looking for a similar player, but we want to improve the team. The club is very present and if there is the possibility of intervening, the management will intervene,” he said in the press conference ahead of Milan’s trip to Sampdoria (via SempreMilan).
“We already have players who can give ideas in the complicated moments of a match.”
Calhanoglu started his new adventure at Inter with a match-winning performance against Genoa on Saturday. After providing an assist to Milan Skriniar, he unleashed a thunderbolt to open his scoring account at the Giuseppe Meazza.
Calhanoglu’s showing in Inter’s 4-0 victory comes as an insult to injury to Milan, who are still in the market for new attacking options.
With the deadline day approaching rapidly, Milan are still believed to be pursuing potential reinforcements. Attacking departments requires new additions, as Jens Petter Hauge also left the Rossoneri to link up with German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.