Everton and AS Roma are battling for the services of LOSC Lille right back Mehmet Zeki Celik. The Turk has been a target for the Toffees with the club making a number of enquiries over his availability over the course of the season.
One can say that Everton are on the right path as they continue to get linked to right backs like Max Aarons, Tariq Lamptey and Celik. Seamus Coleman is not getting any younger and will soon run out of juice. There needs to be a suitable heir to the Irishman’s legacy. Jonjoe Kenny doesn’t offer much confidence meaning the Toffees will have to explore the options in the market.
Coleman’s age and niggling injuries may force the club to fast track their search for a right back so the transition can take place at a comfortable pace, not rushing the Irishman’s successor. The Toffees may not sign a right back in the winter transfer window but a summer transfer is widely anticipated. However, the Royal Blues have started working in the background, keeping an eye on various right backs in Europe.
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According to Turkish Football, Everton are in the hunt to sign Celik from Lille. The Premier League side faces intense competition from AS Roma. Both of the sides have approached Les Dogues over the availability of the full back and at the moment Giallorossi leads the race.
Could Zeki Celik be Coleman’s successor at Everton?
Everton have renowned interest in the Turk since the summer and view him as a capable successor to Coleman. The Ligue 1 outfit values the 23 year old at €15 million whereas his market value has shot up in recent times (£18 million as per Transfermarkt), meaning he’s available at a premium price but Everton are not leading the race. Lille wants to keep hold of their first choice right back as they make a push to dethrone PSG but will be open to a sale in the summer.
Lille’s desire to keep him till summer fits Everton’s plans. Marcel Brands has claimed that the club won’t enter the winter transfer window with the idea to sign new players. The summer transfer window of 2021 presents a better opportunity to strengthen the team and also enables the club to hand a sizeable transfer kitty to Carlo Ancelotti. However, beating Roma to Celik’s signing remains an obstacle as the Italian club leads the race as of now but this is football and nothing is set in stone.
Is Zeki Celik a viable option for Everton?