Arsenal try to hijack move for £17.6m Chelsea target Hakan Calhanoglu who is keen on a summer transfer

Arsenal have joined the race for for Bayer Leverkusen star Hakan Calhanoglu according to reports in Turkey.

The Aksam newspaper report that the Gunners are plotting a move for the 23-year-old attacking midfielder.

Per the source, Arsenal and Lazio are both interested in the Turkish international.

Like Ozil, Calhanoglu was born in Germany and is part of the large Turkish community based in the country.

Unlike Ozil, Calhanoglu represents Turkey at international level. Both players are bi-lingual in Turkish and German.

Sport Bild also reported on the latest developments regarding Calhanoglu and revealed that Bayer Leverkusen would be prepared to accept a transfer offer worth £17.6 million [€20m].

Turkish-Football have previously reported that Chelsea have held a long term interest in the Bayer ace.

Additionally, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported in January that they caught Calhanoglu confiding in private that he plans to join Chelsea.

Hurriyet published quotes claiming Calhanoglu had said: “I will have my wedding in a few months and then god willing, I will be a Chelsea player next season, there are also other clubs that want me.”

Calhanoglu denied the comments on his official Twitter account but the newspaper stood by their report and refused to retract the statement.

The Turkish international star did end up getting married to Sinem Gundogudu in Mannheim, Germany in May.

Calhanoglu does have another two-years remaining on his contract and a release clause worth £32.5 million but Bayer could be tempted into selling their star man.

The Bundesliga outfit had a poor season and are reported to be planning a squad overhaul.

Fanatik report that Bayer are prepared to part ways with Calhanoglu and that the player is open to taking the next step in his career.

The Turkish international has been out for past few months serving a playing ban until the end of the season after FIFA ruled he broke an agreement to join Trabzonspor from Karlsruhe in 2011.