Former AC Milan sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli offers an alternative version to the controversial transfer of Inter Milan star Hakan Calhanoglu.

The 54-year-old was in charge of the Rossoneri’s transfers during the tumultuous reign of the club’s former Chinese owner Li Yonghong.

Mirabelli spent circa 200 million euros on new arrivals during the summer of 2017. His spending spree included the signing of Calhanoglu from Bayer Leverkusen.

In 2021, the midfielder made the switch to Inter following the expiry of his Milan contract.

While many believe that the Turk turned his back on the Rossoneri because the Nerazzurri offered him a slightly higher offer, Mirabelli claims otherwise.

The former Inter Chief Scout believes that those who succeeded him at Milan wanted to erase his memory by offloading the players he signed, including Calhanoglu.

“Calhangolu didn’t leave Milan for money,” insisted Mirabelli in his interview with Tuttosport via FcInter1908.

“Someone wanted to erase the work that we did during our time at the club. Milan had to fight to keep him instead of letting him leave for free as it happened with Donnarumma and Kessie.

“The Milan fans admired him. Today they think that he betrayed the Rossoneri, but that’s not the case.

“It’s Milan that didn’t want to keep Calhanoglu, not the other way around.”

Mirabelli Claims AC Milan Showed Hakan Calhanoglu The Door Which Prompted His Move To Inter Milan

The current Pescara sporting director considers the Nerazzurri star the best player in the world in his position.

“Calha is very intelligent. Few players in the world have a magical touch like his. He also runs hard.

“Today he is the best Regista in the world. And I was right when I spoke about him in these terms with Montella and Gattuso.”

“I’m still very fond of him. He calls me ‘father’ since I was important to his career, his footballing father. If I hadn’t brought him to Milan, he might have risked getting lost.”

Finally, Mirabelli is certain that Milan regret letting the Turkiye international leave.

“Hakan is someone who makes the difference. The gap between Inter and Milan would perhaps have been overturned if Calha had remained.

“The Rossoneri must be biting their fingers in regret.”