Zeki Celik is back on the radar of Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur after helping Lille beat Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG to the French title, as reported by L’Equipe.
One of three Turkey internationals who played a major role in the club’s first Ligue 1 triumph since a young Eden Hazard was strutting his stuff in blood red, Celik, like Burak Yilmaz and Yusuf Yazici, has scribed his name into Lille folklore.
Unfortunately for Les Dogues, and French football as a whole, Lille’s title-winning heroes could be going their separate ways before long.
Inspirational manager Christophe Galtier has already confirmed his departure, with Nice, Lyon and Napoli all potential destinations for the Paul Hollywood lookalike.
Boubakary Soumare, meanwhile, is heading to Leicester City, while goalkeeper Mike Maignan is on the verge of completing a move to AC Milan.
Zeki Celik back on Tottenham radar
According to L’Equipe, the athletic, attack-minded Celik has also re-emerged on the radar of a Spurs side whose right-back problems have been played out for all to see in recent months.
Serge Aurier may be on his way out, while Matt Doherty has struggled to adapt to an orthodox right-back berth after shining as a wing-back at Wolves.
Celik, who is understood to be valued in the region of £18 million, produced four goals and three assists this season, including a stunning volley against Nice during the title run-in.
The 14-time Turkey international has never hid his desire to play Premier League football.
And, as far back as December 2019, reports were suggesting former Lille coach Joao Sacramento had recommended Celik to Jose Mourinho.
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