Juventus Snatches Çelik as Roma Deal Collapses at Final Hour
Transfer News·17 July 2026·1d ago

Juventus Snatches Çelik as Roma Deal Collapses at Final Hour

Source: Cult of Calcio

Juventus completed the signing of Zeki Çelik on Thursday night after Roma believed a deal was all but done. The Turkish defender, whose contract with Roma had expired, initially agreed terms with the Giallorossi at €3–3.2 million per year, but Çelik reopened negotiations with Juventus and accepted a slightly improved offer from the Serie A champions instead.

Çelik's departure after four seasons at Roma—during which he made 151 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 10 assists—leaves a significant gap on the right flank. Roma's coach had wanted to retain him for continuity. His representatives initially demanded €4 million annually, a figure that would have made him one of Roma's highest earners. The club was already planning a major wing signing and had intended to reposition Wesley on the right; the unexpected exit forces them to accelerate those plans. The transfer is further complicated by Juventus's recent appointment of Frederic Massara, formerly Roma's director, adding friction to an already awkward situation for the Giallorossi.

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Zeki Çelik has completed a move to Juventus after Roma's renewal deal with the Turkish right-back collapsed at the final hour. The 27-year-old, whose contract with Roma had expired, initially agreed terms with the Giallorossi before reopening negotiations with Juventus and accepting their offer instead. Cult of Calcio reports Çelik agreed to €3–3.2 million per year with Roma, while Forza Roma states Juventus offered marginally more than Roma's €2.5 million proposal. Çelik's three-year Juventus contract runs until June 2029. The departure ends a four-year Roma tenure during which he made 151 appearances and became a regular for Turkey's national team. Roma had wanted to retain him for continuity, with Forza Roma noting the club believed the deal was settled. The transfer is complicated by Juventus's recent appointment of Frederic Massara, Roma's former director, adding friction to an already difficult situation. Çelik issued a farewell message thanking Roma supporters and referencing the club's Champions League return, while Roma must now accelerate their wing recruitment plans.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

Just as Roma were ready to welcome Zeki Celik back from the World Cup, a couple of weeks after his contract had formally expired, Juventus swooped in, came to terms, and quickly announced his arrival on Thursday night. According to Corriere dello Sport, the agreement with the Giallorossi was 100…

Read the full article in Italian at Cult of Calcio.

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