The season is not yet over, but the first skirmish of the summer is already on the horizon. Inter Milan and Juventus are circling the same target: Roma wingback Zeki Celik.
The 29-year-old is heading for the exit at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma have shown no real intention of extending his expiring contract, and that stance has effectively pushed Celik onto the market. Once June arrives, the former Lille defender will walk away as a free agent.
For Beppe Marotta, that phrase – “free agent” – is an invitation. Bosman deals have become a trademark of his work at San Siro, a way of refreshing the squad without draining the budget. Celik fits that profile neatly: experienced, tactically disciplined, and available without a transfer fee.
Inter’s Search for Life After Dumfries
Inter’s interest is not casual. The club are bracing themselves for the possible departure of Denzel Dumfries in the summer, and the right flank will need a new long-term anchor if the Dutchman moves on.
Cristian Chivu is expected to commit a significant slice of the transfer budget to a broader defensive rebuild, with several veterans likely to leave. In that context, Celik offers something invaluable: solidity at no cost. He may not arrive as a headline signing, but he would allow Inter to redirect funds toward more expensive priorities while still reinforcing a key position.
For a club that has mastered the art of opportunistic signings, this is exactly the kind of move that keeps them competitive without overreaching.
Juventus Keep a Close Watch
Inter, though, are not alone at the table. Juventus have also been scanning the market for defensive reinforcements, and Celik’s contractual situation has not gone unnoticed in Turin.
The Bianconeri are tracking the Turkish international closely as they weigh up their options for the summer window. A player with Serie A experience, capable of slotting into a backline or operating as a wingback, and available on a free – it is the sort of profile that appeals to a club trying to reshape its squad with care rather than extravagance.
So the stage is set. A Roma player edging towards the door, two historic rivals ready to pounce, and a free transfer that could tilt the balance of power on the flanks next season.
For Celik, the choice may soon come down to the colours of his next shirt: black and blue, or black and white.
