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Chelsea target denies Stamford Bridge intention despite deal close: This never happened
HAKAN CALHANOGLU insists he never spoke to Turkish media about joining Chelsea this summer.
Leverkusen star Hakan Calhanoglu's top five free kicks
Bayer Leverkusen's playmaker was quoted over the weekend as saying: "God willing, I will be a Chelsea player next season."
And reports have suggested a deal to bring Calhanoglu to Stamford Bridge is close to completion.
Chelsea have been tracking the free-kick specialist, who has built a strong reputation in the Bundesliga.
Hakan Calhanoglu has denied he ever spoke about joining Chelsea
I said nothing about Chelsea in the press and didn't talk to any Turkish journalist
However, any switch this summer appears further away than it is claimed to be.
Calhanoglu tweeted: "I said nothing about Chelsea in the press and didn't talk to any Turkish journalist - neither about the court decision nor about my future!"
The 22-year-old is currently serving a four-month ban after being found guilty of a breach of contract from his time at Trabzonspor in 2011.
Hakan Calhanoglu's last game before his ban came against Borussia Monchengladbach
Antonio Conte is expected to make big signings at Chelsea in the summer
I said nothing about Chelsea in the press & didn't talk to any Turkish journalist - neither about the court decision nor about my future!
— Hakan Çalhanoğlu (@hakanc10) February 6, 2017
That means he will sit out the rest of the season, but Calhanoglu has quashed rumours of an exit from Leverkusen to Chelsea being on the cards.
Antonio Conte may look to strengthen his attacking midfield in the summer transfer window yet, having not replaced Oscar who left for £52million last month.
But it remains to be seen if the Blues will continue to pursue Turkey international Calhanoglu following his comments.
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