Exclusive: Fulham Set to Renew Pursuit of Roma Full-Back Zeki Celik

Fulham are set to reignite their interest in Mehmet Zeki Celik this summer, according to sources to SportsBoom.

The Cottagers saw a loan with an obligation to buy move for the Roma full-back rebuffed during the winter transfer window.

Marco Silva was in the market for a new right-sided full-back after Kenny Tete suffered a serious knee injury earlier this season. 

And despite missing out on his man two months ago, Silva is ready to launch another bid for the player when the window reopens.

Tete, who signed a one-year contract extension in West London last summer, is close to getting back to full fitness heading into the business end of the campaign.

But talks over another contract extension have slowed and his future at the club remains up in the air.

Zeki Celik's contract in Rome runs out next summer with the Italians understood to be eager to receive a transfer fee for the player rather than letting him leave for free next year.

WINNING MENTALITY

Zeki Celik was part of the Lille side which won the Lique 1 title in 2021. 

He moved to Roma the following year after earning the admiration of Jose Mourinho. 

And he started the 2023 Europa League final, where Roma missed out on penalties to Seville, under Mourinho’s stewardship. 

Mourinho is now at Fenerbache and Turkish international Zeki Celik could return to his homeland.

But it is Fenerbahce’s arch-rivals Galatasaray who are interested in signing the 28-year-old, who is the youngest of nine children.

Having started his career at Bursaspor, he moved to ístanbulspor in 2016 and earned a national call up two years later despite playing in the second tier.