Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs interested in the services of LOSC Lille’s in-demand full-back Zeki Celik.
A new report from Transfer Market Web has offered an update on the future of Zeki Celik. The LOSC Lille full-back has attracted strong interest from strong European clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, as they look to snap him up in January or the next summer transfer window.
Celik’s current contract in Lille expires in 2023. In addition to Spurs, Real Madrid and Inter Milan also remain interested in his services, though his value remains unknown. The report does mention the €20 million price-tag Lille had demanded last season but fails to build anything conclusive.
It is apparent that, after a truly majestic campaign under Christophe Galtier last season, Les Dogues have failed to rekindle that same passion, drive and consistency this time around. However, one of the few players who have retained their form from last season is Zeki Celik.
Although the Turkish right-back has yet to register a goal or assist in his seven games, he has made a solid impression with his defensive solidity and balance. He has shown a great deal of responsibility, even though Lille have continued to leak goals in Ligue 1.
Tottenham’s interest in the 24-year-old, though, is slightly baffling as the club already boasts the services of Emerson Royal and Japhet Tanganga at right-back, in addition to Matt Doherty. Emerson was brought in from Barcelona in the summer on a big-money deal, while Tanganga is a defence-oriented alternative at right-back for coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
Even though Doherty has struggled to make an impression at Tottenham, Celik could be a questionable investment next season from Fabio Paratici’s perspective unless he plans to cash in on any of the three existing right-backs. In any case, one would argue that the Lilywhites would be better placed to shift their attention towards other defensive targets like Harry Souttar.
The Stoke City defender is regarded as one of the best in the Championship. In fact, Everton are already preparing a €24 million January swoop for the centre-back, and that is where Spurs should step in. Unlike Celik, the Australian international will offer some useful depth in defence and is far more experienced in English football.
