Report: Liverpool considering summer move to sign Serie A defender | OneFootball

Liverpool Eye Roma Defender Zeki Celik as Right Back Plans Evolve

Liverpool’s recruitment model has long been rooted in foresight, planning for both crisis and continuity. Yet even the most carefully built squads can find themselves stretched, and recent events at right back have forced the Premier League champions into precisely that territory. Reports credited to Tuttomercato suggest that Roma defender Zeki Celik has emerged as a name under consideration, particularly with injuries reshaping the immediate landscape.

Injury setbacks reshape depth chart

Jeremie Frimpong’s absence has proven disruptive, removing one of Liverpool’s most dynamic wide outlets. Conor Bradley’s situation appears even more severe, with serious bone and ligament damage expected to sideline him until 2027. That timeline alters not only short term rotation plans, but also the club’s medium term succession planning.

Photo: IMAGO

Dominik Szoboszlai has been referenced as a temporary solution, a testament to his tactical intelligence rather than positional suitability. Liverpool, however, were keen to secure a more natural fit before the January window closed, underlining the importance of structural balance across a demanding season.

Slot outlines recruitment logic

Arne Slot addressed the possibility of entering the market with characteristic clarity. “As a club, we always make decisions – what we think are smart decisions – not only in the short term but the long term, which is why we sign younger players. It always depends on whether there are players available that we think can help us.

“If there are, can we afford them. I just said that we don’t have a squad where we have four right-backs and 12 midfielders and three or four no.9s. That’s not how it works over here. So we have to do smart things for the near future, but also for the longer future.”

His words reflect a wider philosophy, Liverpool’s preference for sustainability over reaction. Even in moments of urgency, the club resists straying too far from its long term framework.

Celik profile and contract context

Celik’s situation presents an intriguing market opportunity. The 28 year old has featured in 23 matches this season, scoring four goals and even deputising at centre back when required. That versatility would hold value for a squad competing across multiple fronts.

Roma have offered a three year extension, however no agreement has been reached. Juventus are also credited with interest, raising the prospect of competition should Celik enter the free transfer market this summer.

From Liverpool’s perspective, this would represent calculated opportunism rather than headline chasing. A low cost, experienced defender capable of immediate contribution fits the profile of a stop gap who could still deliver meaningful impact.

Summer strategy taking shape

While no official approach has been made, monitoring Celik aligns with Liverpool’s expected summer focus on reinforcing the right back position. Recruitment teams often operate months ahead of public awareness, mapping contract timelines and injury forecasts in parallel.

Should Celik become available without a fee, Liverpool may view the move as both pragmatic cover and experienced competition, particularly while Bradley continues rehabilitation.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this report lands somewhere between sensible and uninspiring. Celik feels like a functional solution rather than an evolutionary one, a player who plugs a gap rather than elevates the system.

Supporters will recognise the necessity. Frimpong’s injury removed thrust, Bradley’s long term absence removed depth, and asking Szoboszlai to fill in carries tactical compromise. In that context, targeting an experienced right back on a free makes operational sense.

Yet curiosity remains around ceiling. At 28, Celik sits outside Liverpool’s usual succession model. He would likely arrive as rotational cover, not a transformative starter. Fans may question whether resources, even limited ones, could be directed toward a younger profile with longer runway.