Roma move to lock Celik amid growing outside interest
Typically, when we discuss full-backs in these spaces – especially when it comes to contracts and transfers – our usual introduction focuses on the club’s historical struggles in the position. Since you’ve probably been following us for a while (and if you haven’t, hello and welcome!), we’ll skip this trip down memory lane. Instead of analyzing the club’s previous failures in this position, we will focus on the player who has embodied professionalism and patience since signing for the club in 2022.
Once considered a future star in Europe, Zeke Celek arrived from Lille in a €7.4m transfer, a far cry from his €20m valuation after his first season in France in 2019. Despite his declining market value, Celek has been a consistent contributor for Lille, scoring six goals and providing 12 assists in 118 Ligue 1 appearances over four seasons, making him a fantastic signing for Roma.
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Despite establishing himself as a regular and productive member of Lille’s first team, his success in France did not immediately translate to Serie A. With around 2,100 league minutes to his name during his first two seasons with the Giallorossi, Celik found himself on the outside looking in, sitting behind the likes of Leonardo Spinazzola and Nikola Zalewski in the full-back ranks.
However, in an ironic twist, Celek’s moment in the spotlight came during the club’s darkest period. After watching Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric come and go from the bench at Roma, Celik has flourished under Claudio Ranieri, becoming a key figure in the Tinkerman backline last spring – a role he reprized this season under Gian Piero Gasperini.
With his career back on the rise, Roma find themselves in a bit of a dilemma: Celik’s contract expires next June and, according to sources in Italy, he is attracting interest from Juventus, Milan and Galatasaray. According to a report from Il MessaggeroRoma is prioritizing a new deal for the 28-year-old Turkish defender. While an agreement has yet to be reached, Celik is said to be aiming for €3 million per season (net) – an increase of approximately €1 million on his current wages.
He may not be the attacking full-back that fans dream of, but Celik’s versatility, availability and consistency have been almost invaluable to Roma over the past 18 months.