The agent of Hamburg teenage sensation Hakan Calhanoglu has confirmed that Arsenal are interested in signing the midfielder and are expected to make an approach, when the transfer window opens in January.
Calhanoglu broke into the Hamburg first team this season and has made a massive impression in recent weeks, after the club's talisman Rafael van der Vaart was sidelined with an ankle injury. The 19-year-old scored against both Hannover and Wolfsburg last month and his recent performances have attracted the attention of Europe's big guns.
Arsenal, who have targeted signing Bundesliga products of late, are understood to be heading the queue for the player's services, while Liverpool have also been credited with a strong interest in the Turkish prodigy.
Calhanoglu's representative Bektas Demirtas has now admitted the Gunners do hold an interest in the youngster and also hinted at a possible January bid. However, the agent insisted his client is happy to remain at Hamburg and continue his progress.
"I am aware of an interest of Arsenal FC in the services of Hakan. I am expecting Arsenal FC to approach Hamburger SV in a more concrete way during this month or January. But Hakan and Hamburger SV, it's a story of success. Our main ambition is that he is staying on with Hamburger SV. To progress further as a player," Demirtas pointed out.
Hamburg sporting director Oliver Kreuzer revealed that no official enquiry had been made by any English side for Calhanoglu so far. The German was also adamant that the club has no intention of selling the player anyway.
"We want to extend Calhanoglu's [contract] until 2018 in the near future. To date, no club from England has made contact with him. Of course, every player has a price. But we do not have any interest in selling him. It is not our goal to make money from Hakan. That would be for us a big step backwards. [He] is the future, and should remain at HSV. He is keen on making a name for himself in the Bundesliga," Kreuzer said.
Calhanoglu has four goals and two assists from 14 Bundesliga games this season, and also won his first cap for the senior Turkey side.
