Juventus Targets Roma’s Zeki Çelik: A Strategic Move in Transfer Policy
Juventus targets Roma’s Zeki Çelik as part of an intriguing transfer strategy aimed at strengthening the squad while minimizing financial outlay. According to a revealing report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Turin-based club is focusing on acquiring players whose contracts are nearing expiration, allowing for potentially cost-effective signings. Among these targets, the 28-year-old Turkish right-back Zeki Çelik stands out as a key priority for Juventus as they look to bolster their defensive options.
Juventus Targets Roma’s Zeki Çelik Amid Transfer Strategy
La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights Juventus CEO Damien Comolli’s influential role in shaping the club’s transfer approach. The club is proactively identifying quality players whose contracts are ending, thus reducing transfer fees and aligning with financial regulations. Zeki Çelik, currently at Roma, is central to this vision. With a contract situation that could be advantageous to Juventus, the club is reportedly planning to make concrete moves to secure his signature, notably setting sights on the January transfer window for an initial approach.
Zeki Çelik’s Profile and Potential Impact at Juventus
Çelik joined Roma in July 2022 and has since established himself as an important player in the Serie A side’s lineup. Over 10 appearances this season, he has contributed offensively with one goal and one assist, showcasing his dual ability as a solid defender and an attacking threat from the right-back position. On the international stage, the Turkish defender has accumulated 56 caps for Türkiye, scoring 3 goals, underscoring his experience and reliability.
At 28 years old, Zeki Çelik is entering what many consider the peak years for a defender, combining physical prime with tactical maturity. Juventus’s interest reflects their need to reinforce the right flank with a player who can bring both defensive solidity and offensive support, critical for the tactical versatility Juventus seeks under their current coaching setup.
The Bigger Picture: Juventus, Maignan, and Gnabry
According to the same report, Juventus isn’t stopping with Çelik alone. The club also has its eyes on Mike Maignan from AC Milan and Serge Gnabry from Bayern Munich. All three players — Maignan, Gnabry, and Çelik — share the commonality of having contracts ending soon, making them realistic targets in Juventus’s financially pragmatic transfer framework.
This trio represents a blend of strategic recruitment: Maignan, a top-class goalkeeper; Gnabry, a dynamic attacker; and Çelik, a dependable defender. Juventus aims to jumpstart negotiations in the coming months, hoping to secure these talents without excessive transfer fees, a move prompting excitement and cautious optimism among the fans.
Market Value and Competition for Zeki Çelik
Valued at approximately €6 million according to Transfermarkt, Zeki Çelik provides Juventus with a cost-effective option to plug potential gaps. However, the player’s quality and versatility have not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Notably, Real Madrid has been linked with Çelik, exposing Juventus to stiff competition in the pursuit of the Turkish international.
For Juventus, the January window is crucial—not just as an opportunity for immediate reinforcements but also as a strategic moment to negotiate early and potentially finalize deals before the highly competitive summer market frenzy. By targeting Çelik early, the club hopes to outmaneuver rivals and secure a valuable asset who can contribute meaningfully next season.
Conclusion: A Smart Transfer Policy Rooted in Longevity and Value
Juventus targeting Roma’s Zeki Çelik signals a carefully designed approach focusing on financial prudence combined with sporting ambition. By looking at players like Çelik with expiring contracts, the club aims to avoid inflated transfer fees while acquiring proven talents capable of elevating team performance.
This strategy, led by CEO Damien Comolli, reflects a broader mindset in football where clubs balance fiscal responsibility with competitive needs. For Juventus supporters, the potential arrival of Zeki Çelik offers hope of strengthening the squad’s defense without excessive spending—a promising prospect as the club rebuilds towards reclaiming its dominance in Italy and Europe.
As the January transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Juventus’s moves, with Zeki Çelik’s situation standing out as one of the most intriguing narratives in the Serie A transfer market this season.
Ah, Mehmet Zeki Çelik — the Turkish right-back known for his pace, solid defense, and occasional cheeky humor 😄
Here’s a light-hearted story fans often bring up:
When Çelik first joined Lille OSC in France, his French was… let’s say, a work in progress. During one early press conference, he tried to thank the fans for their support and accidentally said something closer to “I thank the fans for eating me” instead of “supporting me.” 🍽️😂
The translator (and his teammates) couldn’t stop laughing, and Çelik took it like a champ — joking later that he’d “keep feeding the fans with good performances instead.” Since then, it’s become a small running joke among Lille supporters and Turkish football fans who remember that early language mix-up.
