Juventus have completed the shock signing of Zeki Celik from AS Roma, a move that saw them hijack his agreement with the capital club, who had already reached a deal with the Turkish defender over a new contract.
Although Celik’s previous contract had expired, he remained in talks with Roma regarding an extension and appeared to have agreed terms that would have kept him at the club for three more seasons.
Juventus complete surprise Celik deal
While Roma were waiting for the defender to sign the final documents, he travelled to Turin and put pen to paper on a three-year contract to become a new Juventus player. The decision came as a major surprise to Roma, who believed they were close to securing his future.
Juventus had been monitoring developments surrounding Celik’s situation for several months, and when an opportunity emerged to add him to their squad, they acted quickly to complete the transfer.
According to Calciomercato, Roma had agreed to offer Celik a contract worth 3m euros per season, and the defender was prepared to sign after a lengthy negotiation process.
Roma frustrated after losing defender
However, Juventus entered the race late and presented Celik with a more attractive proposal. The Bianconeri offered him 4m euros net per season, including bonuses, and the Turkish defender decided not to hesitate before accepting the contract.
Roma are reportedly unhappy that Juventus moved in and secured the defender after they had reached an agreement. However, Celik has made a decision that he believes is best for his career and his future.
Juventus will now hope that the defender can provide consistent performances and prove to be a valuable addition to their squad. The move highlights the importance of completing negotiations quickly in the transfer market, especially when other clubs remain interested in available players.