‘I am attracted’: £18m Tottenham-linked defender comments on Mourinho’s summer interest

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One of Tottenham Hotspur’s priorities in the summer transfer window was a new right-back. Serge Aurier was deemed not good enough, and Jose Mourinho’s side were linked with a whole bunch of players to replace him.

Spurs eventually signed Matt Doherty from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Irishman is proving to be an excellent signing but, if reports are to be believed, he was not Tottenham’s first choice.

The Telegraph reported back in August that Lille’s Zeki Celik was Mourinho’s top target at right-back in the summer. The report also claimed that Spurs were willing to sell Aurier and Juan Foyth to raise funds to sign the Turkish full-back, who was valued at around £18 million.

Celik confirms Tottenham’s interest

That move didn’t materialise a few months ago, but that doesn’t mean it won’t in the future. Celik confirmed Tottenham’s interest in him in the summer, and he admitted that he would be open to a move to the Premier League in the future.

He told the latest edition of the So Foot Magazine: “I heard that there was interest from Tottenham, but I don’t know if they made an offer. In any case, I know that the Premier League is a league that I am attracted to. But, I am happy to have stayed here when you look at the start to the season that we have had.”

Celik’s Lille have started the season very well. They are second in Ligue 1 and are top of their Europa League group ahead of Italian giants AC Milan and Scottish champions Celtic.

Tottenham are not doing badly either. Mourinho’s men, like Lille, are second in the Premier League table, only behind defending champions Liverpool who are just one point ahead of them.

Spurs are joint top of their Europa League group as well, and it is shaping up to be a very exciting season for them. Tottenham are tipped by many to be in the race for multiple trophies including the Premier League title.

Celik, still only 23, has admitted that he will consider a move to the Premier League. Aurier has done fairly well this term, but the Lille man is definitely an upgrade, and it won’t be a surprise to see Tottenham make a move for him next summer.