Fulham Enters Transfer Battle for Roma Defender Zeki Celik
Fulham is set to engage in a competitive summer transfer window, with manager Marco Silva looking to reinforce the squad. According to reports from Corriere dello Sport, the Premier League club is vying with Newcastle United to secure the signature of Roma defender Zeki Celik. The interest extends to other European clubs, with Juventus and Stuttgart also monitoring the situation closely.
Defensive Boost for The Cottagers
Zeki Celik, a 29-year-old Turkish international, is poised to become a free agent in June as his contract with Roma expires. He has not yet agreed to an extension, making an exit increasingly likely. Fulham views Celik as a valuable addition to their defensive lineup, offering enhanced competition, depth, and a distinct skill set compared to current options. With 58 caps for Turkey and extensive experience in top European leagues, his acquisition could significantly bolster the team's backline.
Celik began his career in Turkey with Bursaspor and Istanbulspor before moving to Lille in France, where he made 143 appearances. He transferred to Roma in 2022 and has since played 137 games across all competitions, scoring two goals. This season alone, he has featured in 22 matches, demonstrating his consistency and reliability.
Fulham's Current Season and Future Prospects
Currently positioned 10th in the Premier League with 37 points from 27 fixtures, Fulham has 11 games remaining. The team recently returned to winning form with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Manager Marco Silva emphasized the importance of this win, stating, "Big win, we knew that it was going to be another crucial game for us and it was going to be very important to come from some not good results in the Premier League. After an incredible run during January and December too, we wanted to bounce back in a place that has been very difficult for all the teams to play against Sunderland."
As Fulham prepares for a home clash against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, the potential signing of Celik could provide a timely boost. The competition from Newcastle United, Juventus, and Stuttgart highlights the defender's high demand, setting the stage for a fierce transfer battle this summer.
