Sunderland are interested in signing Hakan Calhanoglu (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Sunderland are steadily improving their squad for the new season with an impressive four signings already and now they look to turn their attentions to a creative centre midfielder in the shape of Hakan Calhanoglu from Bayer Leverkusen.

Calhanoglu, 21, is at an age where he could set the Premier League on fire under the guidance of Dick Advocaat and the Dutch coach will be hoping the signings of Jeremain Lens and Younes Kaboul can attract the Turkish superstar to join his team on Wearside.

Hakan burst onto the scene with Hamburg as he shocked Jurgen Klopp with a 35-yard free kick against Borussia Dortmund in 2013/14 as he secured a £10million move to his current club Leverkusen.



He plays in the number 10 role and specialises in free kicks (some say he could be the best in the world if he continues taking them the way he has over the past few seasons) but is also great with killer balls forwards, something Sunderland are desperate for to push them higher up the table.


Not only is the creative midfielder making great waves in German football but he is also playing for his national team Turkey where he has made nine caps and scored an impressive five goals for his country. If Sunderland can negotiate a deal for Calhanoglu he will bring assists but also goals from the midfield and this could be a terrific signing for Advocaat.

Another key attribute that Lee Congerton and Advocaat must have spotted with Calhanoglu is is willingness to work hard off the ball and chase down the ball, even in a number 10 role.

He showed last season for Leverkusen under Roger Schmidt that he is not only dangerous going forward but willing to chase down the opposition and win the ball back. Again, something he will need to do more for Sunderland against tougher teams.

Sunderland fans are already buzzing with the new approach to how the club are handling transfers in a no nonsense fashion, with Kaboul signing in 24 hours after the Lombaerts deal collapsed.

If they could sign a talent such as Calhanoglu this would be the icing on the cake and start to build excitement for a great season at the Stadium of Light.

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