Sporting director Piero Ausilio continues to monitor several opportunities as the window enters its closing stages, with much still hinging on Luis Henrique, whose position at the club remains unresolved.
According to Sport Mediaset, a new scenario could open out wide if the Brazilian leaves, with AS Roma having shown concrete interest in the winger. Any departure would push Inter Milan back into the market for attacking reinforcements, with Nico González and Ivan Perišić already mentioned as options, though Malick Fofana, the 21-year-old Belgian at Lyon, has gained ground in recent hours.
Fofana is also being watched by Tottenham and has recently been linked with Roma, but there has been no concrete move from Inter as things stand.
The Nerazzurri are waiting for clarity on Luis Henrique before deciding whether to accelerate for Fofana, who is regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in European football and remains under contract at Lyon until June 2028, having joined the French club from Gent for €19.5 million in January 2024.
While the market situation plays out, Çalhanoğlu has been speaking to beIN Sports about the strength of Serie A and life inside Inter's dressing room.
Asked about the level of the Italian league, the Turkish midfielder pushed back on outside criticism.
"It's a great league, there are teams like Atalanta and others that are growing, buying good players, like Fiorentina. The criticism always comes from outside, as a player I don't share what they say — for me it's in the top three leagues alongside the Premier League and LaLiga," he said.
Asked to name the three best players he has shared a dressing room with across his career, Çalhanoğlu found it difficult to settle on a shortlist.
"Son, Ibrahimović, there are so many good ones, it's not easy to choose. At Inter there are so many strong players, if I pick one, the others get upset. I'll pick one from Inter and say Thuram."
He also opened up on his relationship with head coach Chivu, drawing a clear distinction with his previous manager.
"What makes Chivu unique, and the differences with Inzaghi? I can't say anything bad about Inzaghi, he wanted me a lot when he came to Inter and I grew a lot with him, both as a player and as a person. Chivu is different, he cares more about you as a person. For him football isn't the most important thing anymore — you are important, how you feel, he's always available, gives you confidence and makes you feel good.
"Obviously there's also an important tactical side, he wants you training at 100%, but he's like a brother and a friend, you can talk to him about anything, he always helps and that's what I like about him. I had a lot of things to sort out and he helped me a great deal, I thank him for that."