Roma reach agreement with Celik over new contract amid Juventus and Inter links
Quick summary
Roma have reached an agreement with right-back Zeki Celik on a new contract extension, fending off reported interest from Juventus and Inter.
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Attributed to original sourceRoma have reached an agreement with Zeki Celik over a new contract, ending speculation about the Turkish defender’s future after his deal expired on 30 June.
According to Fabrizio Romano, via CalcioMercato , the two parties have found terms to continue together, with Celik reported to have already signed, leaving only the official announcement outstanding.
It marks a notable win for Roma in a summer when several of their key men reached the end of their contracts.
As a potential free agent, Celik had attracted interest from Serie A rivals, Juventus and Inter chief among them, with the latter viewing him as a potential answer to their search for a right-sided defender, but the Giallorossi have moved to keep him at the Stadio Olimpico.
VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) Gasperini pushed hard to keep Celik at Roma The renewal is understood to be a three-year deal worth around €3 million per season. The Giallorossi hierarchy worked to retain a defender who was a near-ever-present last season, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini played a decisive role in getting it over the line.
Celik started 43 of the 45 matches he featured in from the off, making an important contribution to Roma’s qualification for the Champions League.
Gasperini, who leaned heavily on the Turkey international throughout the campaign, was determined to keep him ahead of a season back in Europe’s premier competition.
With the paperwork done, only the confirmation now remains to rubber-stamp Celik’s stay in the capital.
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What happened
AS Roma have finalized terms with Turkish right-back Zeki Celik for a contract renewal. The agreement comes after both Juventus and Inter had been linked with moves for the defender, suggesting Roma moved to secure his services before losing him on a free transfer. Celik, who joined Roma from Lille in 2022, has been a regular at right-back. The new deal signals Roma's intent to retain key squad members despite interest from rival Serie A clubs.
Chance analysis
Securing Celik removes a potential transfer saga and stabilizes Roma's right-back position heading into the next window. With Juventus and Inter both reportedly interested, Roma avoid losing a useful squad player for free while also removing a potential summer target from the market. This is a retention play rather than a marquee signing, but it has tactical and squad-planning value for Roma's sporting project.
Roma retain a reliable right-back and remove a potential summer transfer target from the market, while Juventus and Inter lose a free-agent option.
Roma's right-back depth is secured; Celik should be considered unavailable as a transfer target for Juventus or Inter in upcoming windows.