According to Evening Standard, Tottenham are eyeing a summer swoop for Zeki Celik. The LOSC Lille defender has emerged as a target for multiple clubs, in light of the Ligue 1 outfit’s financial instability that will force them to sell a few of their star players in the summer. Tottenham are believed to be joined by Manchester United and Arsenal in the race to sign Celik, who is expected to cost around €15 million.
Zeki Celik’s Successful 2020/21 Campaign
Zeki Celik has been a part of the LOSC Lille side since 2018 when he was brought in from Istanbulspor. He has been a first-team regular for Les Dogues for a few seasons now but the 2020/21 campaign was by far the most important of them all.
Indeed, Celik emerged as a vital lynchpin in the Lille defence that attained the best defensive record in Ligue 1. He built a formidable defensive partnership alongside the likes of Sven Botman, Jose Fonte and Reinildo Mandava, helping Lille topple Paris Saint-Germain for the French league title.
Aside from his defensive contribution, Celik’s involvement in the attacking department of the game was considerable. He scored three goals while conjuring up three assists, with a few of them being vital in helping Lille secure crucial points throughout the course of the campaign.
By the end of the season, Celik has already established himself as one of the finest fullbacks in the division and is expected to play a vital role for Turkey in the upcoming European championship.
Is Celik A Viable Option For Tottenham?
Zeki Celik is an attacking fullback by nature, but he is versatile enough to fit in at other roles. He is often aware of his defensive chores, barely allowing the opposition to overrun him out wide. It has been prevalent in his performances for Lille this season, playing his part in one of the finest defensive units in Europe.
The addition of the Turkish international, therefore, will be a welcome sight for Tottenham fans. He can offer the much-needed competition for the two underwhelming right-backs in Serge Aurier and Matt Doherty.
It is needless to say that Celik is much more matured than the two and can thus offer more solidity in the Spurs backline. He also has certain aggression about his game that will make him an ideal fit for the Premier League’s style of play.
What makes the 24-year-old an even more appealing target for Tottenham, however, is that he has time on his side, which guarantees him ample time to improve his game. And for a fee of just €15 million, Zeki Celik could indeed be a bargain signing for the Lilywhites this summer.
