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Bayer Leverkusen winger Hakan Calhanoglu denies Chelsea reports

Hakan Calhanoglu has been locked in a contract dispute with Trabzonspor dating back to 2011
Image: Hakan Calhanoglu is banned from playing for four months

Banned Bayer Leverkusen winger Hakan Calhanoglu has denied reports that he said he wanted to join Chelsea this summer.

The 22-year-old, who has been suspended by FIFA from playing for the next four months, was quoted by several publications as stating he was hoping for a move to Stamford Bridge.

Turkey international Calhanoglu was reported to be of interest to Chelsea when Jose Mourinho was in charge in 2014, but he signed for Leverkusen from Hamburg.

The player tweeted on Tuesday: "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."

Calhanoglu has been banned for a breach of contract relating to his time at Karlsruhe, in which he received an £86,000 payment from Trabzonspor after agreeing to sign for the Turkish club in future.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA - MARCH 29:  Hakan Calhanoglu of Turkey celebrates after scoring during the international friendly match between Austria and Turkey
Image: Calhanoglu is a Turkey international with 26 caps and eight goals

Instead he later extended his contract with Karslruhe. Trabzonspor had initially sought repayment of the fee as well further compensation of £862,000 but FIFA ruled that £86,000 repayment and a four-month ban would suffice.

FIFA's decision over Calhanoglu, who attracted Tottenham Hotspur's interest last summer, was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) this week.

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