Slot Eyes Roma Defender as Celik Future Sparks Liverpool Debate
Roma Situation Raises Possibility for Slot
Liverpool’s summer planning rarely arrives with trumpets, but sometimes the rumours have a particular logic. Arne Slot, who took charge of the Reds in June 2024 and has steadily reshaped the club’s approach, is expected to reinforce his defence ahead of the 2026 campaign. Into that conversation has stepped Zeki Celik, Roma’s experienced Turkish international, a name mentioned with growing frequency across the Italian and English press.
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According to reporting in the Mirror, Celik’s situation at Roma has caught attention because his contract expires at the end of the season. That detail alone transforms speculation into something more tangible. His agent, Fazil Ozdemir, insisted that reports of a Juventus agreement were incorrect, saying: “The rumours that Zeki has reached an agreement with a club are not accurate.”
Those words matter. They do not confirm Liverpool interest, but they keep options open. They also underline a truth about football’s marketplace: defenders of Celik’s pedigree rarely remain unattached for long.
Celik Profile Suits Liverpool Needs
Celik, 29, is not a glamour signing, and perhaps that is precisely why his name carries intrigue. He joined Roma from Lille in 2022 and has since amassed more than 130 appearances, helping the club to a Europa League final in his debut campaign. He is durable, disciplined and capable of operating at right-back or in a back three. Slot, whose Liverpool side values tactical flexibility, may appreciate that.
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Liverpool’s defensive depth has been a talking point throughout this season. With uncertainty around contracts and injuries biting at times, there is recognition that reinforcements are required. Slot himself admitted earlier this year that Liverpool were in negotiations with one of their defenders to stay, noting: “We are in talks with him so that tells you what we want.” The implication is clear: stability at the back remains a priority.
Celik’s profile, then, becomes interesting not because he is a superstar, but because he might be dependable. He is a professional defender accustomed to European nights, Serie A’s tactical grind and the pressure of expectation.
Agent Comments Fuel Transfer Speculation
Agents often dampen rumours before deals emerge. Ozdemir’s comments carried that familiar tone of calm professionalism. He said Celik was focused entirely on Roma’s objectives, adding: “His contract with Roma expires at the end of the season; however, he has great respect for the club. At this stage, he is not focusing on contractual or transfer matters.”
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It is a polite way of saying nothing is decided. Yet in football, nothing decided often means everything possible.
Liverpool are not alone. Manchester City and Juventus have also been mentioned. That speaks to Celik’s standing as a seasoned defender with European pedigree. Clubs hunting for value often look to expiring contracts, and Celik represents precisely that opportunity.
Summer Decisions Could Define Slot Era
Slot’s Liverpool have been a study in methodical evolution rather than revolution. The Dutch manager has refined pressing patterns, improved possession structure and maintained the club’s competitive edge in the Premier League landscape that includes Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. Within that context, squad planning becomes an exercise in precision.
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Celik may not be the headline name, yet these are the moves that define seasons. Reliable defenders, modest wages, tactical intelligence. They are often the glue in title races.
Roma’s willingness to lose him on a free would be a gamble, but clubs sometimes prioritise renewal elsewhere. Liverpool, meanwhile, must balance ambition with pragmatism. Slot’s tenure has been about building quietly, and Celik could fit that pattern.
For now, speculation remains speculation. But as the summer window approaches, names like Zeki Celik will continue to surface. And sometimes, in football’s theatre of rumour, the most understated story turns into the signing that matters most.