The moment Zeki Celik edged towards the exit door at Roma, the phones in Milan and Turin started buzzing.
Inter and Juventus, eternal enemies and frequent rivals in the transfer market, are both lining up for the 29-year-old wingback, who is set to walk away from the Stadio Olimpico at the end of the season. With his contract running down and Roma unwilling to extend, Celik is on course to become a free agent in June – exactly the kind of opportunity that makes sporting directors sit up.
At San Siro, that kind of deal has a familiar signature. Bosman moves have long been a calling card of Beppe Marotta, and Celik fits neatly into that profile: experienced, tactically disciplined, and available without a transfer fee.
Inter's Interest
Inter’s interest is not casual. The club are bracing for a potential change on the right flank, with Denzel Dumfries a possible departure in the summer. The need is clear: a reliable, ready-made option who can slot into a title-chasing side without swallowing a large chunk of the budget.
That budget, under Cristian Chivu’s expected plans for a defensive overhaul, will already be under pressure. Several veterans are likely to move on, forcing Inter to refresh their back line while staying within financial limits. In that context, Celik becomes more than a name on a list. He becomes a strategic solution.
A free transfer, Serie A experience, and the versatility to operate as a wingback in a three-man system make him an appealing piece for the Nerazzurri. They would not pay a fee to Roma, and they would gain a player used to the league’s tactical demands.
Juventus Monitoring
But Inter are not alone.
Juventus are tracking the situation closely, monitoring Celik as they assess their own defensive options. The Turin club have also been combing the market for reinforcements at the back, and the chance to bring in an experienced international without a transfer fee is hard to ignore, especially in a summer where every euro will be weighed carefully.
So the stage is set: one player, two giants, and a familiar tug-of-war between black-and-blue and black-and-white.
Celik may be edging out of Roma quietly, but the battle for his signature is only just beginning.
