Tuesday, 20th May, 2014
Hamburg starlet Hakan Calhanoglu has put his suitors on high alert by admitting that he wants to play Champions League football.
The Turkey international midfielder has helped Hamburg see off the threat of relegation from the Bundesliga this season, the side having triumphed against Greuther Furth in a relegation playoff.
Bayer Leverkusen, who can offer Calhanoglu Champions League football, are chasing his services, with a bid of €12m on the horizon for Hamburg to ponder.
Calhanoglu is also known to have suitors in England, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers having checked on him personally last month.
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The Reds would also be able to satisfy Calhanoglu's wish, which is for Champions League football.
"Every footballer has the goal of playing in the Champions League. That's my wish. I hope that the club responds accordingly", Calhanoglu explained to the Hamburger Morgenpost.
However, Hamburg are not cutting the figure of a club that wants to play ball over a departure, with sporting director Oliver Kreuzer remarking: "He will definitely stay at HSV."
Calhanoglu's contract at Hamburg runs until 2018.
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