Massimiliano Mirabelli insists Hakan Çalhanoğlu didn’t betray Milan but, on the contrary, the Rossoneri ‘didn’t fight’ to keep the Turkey international in the team.
Calhanoglu caused outrage in the black-and-red side of Milan in 2021 when he refused to sign a contract extension with the Diavoli, joining their city rivals Inter on a free transfer.
The Turkey international had joined the Rossoneri in 2015, signed by Mirabelli.
In his latest interview with Tuttosport newspaper, the former Milan director defended Calhanoglu, saying he didn’t betray his former club.
“There is another truth,” said Mirabelli.
“Somebody wanted to cancel the work that had been done. Milan should have fought to keep him, but in the end, they let him go for free as they also did with Donnarumma and Kessié.
“Milan fans used to admire him and now they think he betrayed the Rossoneri, but it’s not true. Milan didn’t want to keep Calhanoglu; it is not Calhanoglu who wanted to leave.”
Inter offered Calhanoglu only € 500,000 a year more than his previous Milan contract, so Mirabelli insisted that money was not why the Turkish star left the Rossoneri.
Mirabelli was sacked by Milan in 2018 after three seasons at the club.
Calhanoglu has scored 23 goals in 122 appearances with Inter and his contract with the Nerazzurri runs out in June 2027. The Turkey international turns 30 today.
Ha ha , more terrible business by American Milan!