Roma are on the verge of completing their swoop for Lille right-back Zeki Celik at a cost of circa €7m.
Multiple reports from Tuttomercatoweb, Calciomercato.com, Footmercato and more all have the same basic details, with figures differing only in terms of performance-related bonuses.
The Turkey international has also been linked with Serie A side Fiorentina, but Roma were always the favourites, largely due to the presence of coach Jose Mourinho at the Stadio Olimpico.
LOSC had signed Celik from Istanbulspor in the summer of 2018 for €2.5m and his contract with them is due to expire in June 2023.
Celik is a right-back who can also play on the right side of a five-man midfield and contributed three goals with three assists in 40 competitive appearances for Lille this season.
The 25-year-old also has two goals in his 32 senior caps for Turkey.
It was rumoured on Teleradiostereo that Roma had also tried to go for Tottenham Hotspur right-back Emerson Royal, but he only wanted a team in the Champions League.
🚨Info: La #Roma et le #LOSC sont proches d’un accord pour Çelik 🇹🇷.
• On parle d’une indemnité de transfert de l’ordre de 6,8 M€.https://t.co/kODmH22wOU
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) June 17, 2022
Such a steal. Cheap. Good cover for Karsdorp and will push for playing time. Roma are going to be great especially with Spinna back healthy. Hold on to Ibanez and we should have one of the best back lines in the continent. Forza Roma Sempre!
He will start over karsdorp unless he’s lazy in practice.
Definitely an upgrade
Forza Roma sempre
Now move on to signing a LW, a ST and 2 more midfielders. And cash in the following players:
Matías Viña
Amadou Diawara
Jordan Veretout
Carles Pérez
Eldor Shomurodov
Gonzalo Villar
Justin Kluivert
Our RB should still be Florenzi, but hopefully Celik can take minutes off Karsdorp because he’s not very good.