Fulham will reportedly look to sign 27-year-old Turkish international Zeki Celik on loan from Serie A club AS Roma before the winter transfer window shuts down.
According to a report by reputed Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Zeki Celik is the subject of interest from Fulham. The Cottagers have been scouring the market for a right-back heading into the winter transfer window. So, they have approached AS Roma with a loan bid to sign the 27-year-old full-back, although the Serie A club’s manager, Claudio Ranieri, has yet to approve the move.
Zeki Celik and his career so far
Zeki Celik has endured a topsy-turvy ride since joining AS Roma from LOSC Lille in July 2022. A native of Bursa, the Turk spent his formative years in his homeland and graduated from the youth division at Bursaspor. However, he rose in prominence during his spell with LOSC Lille before joining the Serie A club two and a half years ago.
The 27-year-old has been in and out of the starting lineup throughout his spell with the Giallorossi, although he has been a regular starter this term. Celik has turned out nearly 100 times thus far for AS Roma while chipping in with four assists.
However, Celik’s long-term future at AS Roma is uncertain after entering the final 18 months of his contract with the Serie A club. In addition, his status as the first-choice right-back is under threat after Devyne Rensch arrived from Ajax last month. The situation has piqued the attention of several well-known clubs, with Fulham among his prospective suitors this month.
London calling?
Fulham’s interest in Zeki Celik is understandable. The Cottagers have been scouring the market for a right-back heading into the winter transfer window. While Timothy Castagne has been a solid addition to the first-team squad, Kenny Tete’s absence through a long-term knee injury has necessitated the arrival of a new right-back.
So, several candidates, including Emerson Royal, have emerged on Fulham’s radar. However, the Cottagers have set their sights on another Serie A-based full-back, approaching AS Roma with a bid to sign Celik on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season. However, Claudio Ranieri has yet to approve the 27-year-old Turk’s departure.
So, Fulham will wait with bated breaths for Ranieri’s response as they look to sign a right-back before the winter transfer window shuts down. It will be interesting to see what the future has in store for the Turkish international amid his links with the West London club.