Arsenal and Tottenham target Zeki Celik is reportedly in contention to replace Kieran Trippier at Atletico Madrid this window.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the reigning La Liga champions are eyeing a move for the LOSC Lille right-back following the departure of Trippier this week.
The defender is set to join Newcastle as the club’s first signing under their new ownership, with the Times reporting that the defender will earn £100,000-a-week with the Tyneside club.
And it appears that Celik could be an option for Atletico. The Turkish international was key to Lille’s title win in France last season, leading to interest from Premier League clubs. Namely Arsenal and Spurs.
As reported by the Telegraph, Tottenham were keen to sign the defender, who was valued at £18m. Whilst according to the Evening Standard, Celik was an option to replace Hector Bellerin at Arsenal before the club decided on Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Indeed, with both clubs now having solid right-backs in the aforementioned Tomiyasu and Emerson Royal, it is unlikely that either north London side will now challenge Atletico for Celik this month.
Celik would be ideal to replace Trippier at Atletico
With Atletico fetching s decent fee for Trippier and Lille needing to sell this month, Celik could be the perfect choice to replace the England international at the club.
After all, the Turkish fullback was key to Lille’s historic season last campaign. And with Arsenal and Spurs unlikely to reignite their interest in the defender, Atletico are in the clear to sign Celik.
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