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SOURCES CONFIRM: MAN UTD WANT ROMA DEFENDER ZEKI CELIK

Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal are all tracking AS Roma's right-back Zeki Celik, whose contract expires this summer, sparking a transfer battle.

Sources Confirm: Man Utd Want Roma Defender Zeki Celik
Man Utd Eye Roma Star Zeki Celik

Sources say Manchester United is interested in signing AS Roma right-back Zeki Celik. But they will have competition from Liverpool and Arsenal.

Celik's contract with Roma ends this season, which has caught the eye of Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Man City. Since 2022, the 28-year-old Turkish player has played 121 games for Roma, scoring two goals and seven assists.

Word is that several big English clubs want Celik, who has become a main player for Roma under manager Gian Piero Gasperini. He has shown he can play in different spots, like as a right-back in a back three and as a defensive midfielder.

Man City, Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea have all asked about Celik, which shows how much interest there is in him.

Roma is in first place in Serie A right now. They see Celik as important to the team and want him to stay longer.

Roma is trying to get Celik to sign a new agreement soon. But the former Lille star is taking his time and will think about any offers carefully in the next few weeks.

From January, Celik can sign a pre-contract with another club for a summer move. That’s why English teams are trying to find out if he is available and what he might want in a potential agreement.

So far, they are just getting basic info and figuring out if they can negotiate.

Celik is a solid defender with experience and can help out on offence, which makes him a popular full-back in Europe.

The next few weeks will be key in deciding if Celik stays at Roma or moves to the Premier League, where several top clubs are ready to make a move. This is something to watch closely.

Why does Man Utd want Zeki Celik?


Man Utd wants to sign a midfielder most of all in January. But the wing-back role is becoming more and more important to their game plan.

Sources say Man Utd would prefer a right wing-back who likes to attack.

Celik is not the kind of attacking full-back that gets fans excited. But he is dependable, strong on defence, and plays well consistently.

The Turkish player can also get forward, with one goal and one assist in 11 Serie A games this season.

Celik said in October 2025 that he is comfortable as a wing-back and can attack if needed.

Tribuna quoted Celik: It doesn't matter if I play as a wing-back or a full-back; the important thing is to play well.

About renewing my agreement, I'm just focused on playing. I'm happy at Roma, and we'll see what happens.

I feel good as a wing-back; I can defend and attack. I'm happy and playing well.

In Turkey, I played as a fullback and centre back, so I know all the defensive positions. It wasn't new to me, and I'm comfortable in any role.

I’ve worked with many great coaches, but with Gasperini, training is very tough. The coach has a winning mentality; we’re learning a lot from him, and we’re improving.”

Meanwhile, Man Utd really wants to sign a German star who is also wanted by Chelsea.

FORWARD EVOLUTION: ANALYZING MBEUMO’S TRANSITION FROM A RIGHT-WINGER TO A CLINICAL CENTRAL STRIKER

Red Devil revival: Discover why Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville think Bryan Mbeumo is the best signing in the Premier League.

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Jamie Carragher labels Bryan Mbeumo "one of the best" in England

Jamie Carragher can’t say enough good things about Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United’s big signing under Ruben Amorim. In fact, Carragher called Mbeumo “one of the best” in the Premier League this season.

United splashed out over £200 million in Amorim’s last transfer window, bringing in Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Senne Lammens. All four have made their mark, especially during the team’s recent hot streak under caretaker boss Michael Carrick, who stepped in after Amorim left last month.

Mbeumo and Cunha have quickly become real threats up front, and Sesko just can’t stop scoring, with six goals in seven games since Amorim’s exit. Lammens, meanwhile, has settled in as United’s new No. 1 after his £18 million move from Royal Antwerp. He looks like a smart bit of business.

The turnaround has been dramatic. United have picked up 16 points out of a possible 18 under Carrick, rocketing into the Champions League spots. This, from a team that finished way down in 15th last season.

Carragher, the Liverpool legend, has loved watching United’s revival, and he keeps coming back to Mbeumo as a standout. On Sky Sports, he said, “Bryan Mbeumo came in as almost a right-winger or a right-sided forward in Amorim’s system, and I was surprised to see him go through the middle. But for me, he’s been one of the best signings in the Premier League this season. He just fits Manchester United.”

He added, “Gary Neville always talks about what a United player should be, and honestly, Mbeumo looks the part. He’s got the power and pace to drive you up the pitch, and he’s clinical too. He’s been fantastic, whether he’s leading the line or out wide.”

Neville himself is a big fan, calling Mbeumo “a really solid signing.” He even suggested Arsenal and Chelsea missed a trick by not snapping him up. On the Stick to Football podcast, Neville said, “Looking at it now, Mbeumo probably would have been better for Chelsea and Arsenal than some of the players they signed. Joao Pedro’s been decent, but Mbeumo would have been a sensation for Arsenal. He’s just a good signing for United. I like him a lot.”

Ian Wright agrees and admitted he was “gutted” Mbeumo didn’t end up at Arsenal. “He always looks dangerous,” Wright said. “Absolutely, he would have made Arsenal stronger.”

United just edged out Everton 1-0 on Monday night and are gearing up to face Crystal Palace next. After the win, Carrick said, “We had to work for it. Credit to Everton; they made it tough and forced us to defend our box a lot. The way we dug in was top class. Keeping a clean sheet is fantastic. We know we can play better, but it’s satisfying to come away from home and get the win.”

GARY NEVILLE SPEAKS OUT: UNITED URGED TO FIND "TOP CLASS" MANAGER DESPITE CARRICK'S SUCCESS

Unbeaten but uncertain! Discover why Gary Neville wants Manchester United to find an elite manager despite Carrick's success.

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Gary Neville wants United to "aim high" for managers

Gary Neville thinks Manchester United needs to look for a new manager, even though Michael Carrick’s done a great job as interim head coach. Since Carrick took over, United haven’t lost in the Premier League. They’ve beaten City, Arsenal, Spurs, and Fulham, and only just drew with West Ham. You can see the team has turned a corner, and plenty of fans want Carrick to get the job full-time.

Still, Neville says United should go after the “best class of manager available.” He’s not ruling Carrick out, especially if the team grabs a Champions League spot, but he wants the club to aim high.

Before the Everton game on Monday, Neville told Sky Sports, “Manchester United have to go out and find another manager now, because you just don’t know how things will play out." When someone like Thomas Tuchel signs with England, it narrows United’s options. But that’s not a bad thing for Michael; his chances aren’t hurt at all. If he gets United into the Champions League, fans will be desperate for him to stay. I love Michael; I really do. But United needs to go for the top managers. They’ve already tried young, inexperienced options with the last two appointments. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was another ex-player, and it just didn’t work. So now, I think they need to play it safe and cut down on risk.”

Neville also shared that he spoke to the club a few weeks back to make his view clear. He told Sky Sports, “I’ve already said where I stand. I’m not going to repeat it every week, but I did speak to the club because journalists always ask them what’s going on. It’s a tough spot for them. There’s a huge push for Carrick, and the more he wins, the stronger that will get, especially if he gets close to Champions League football.

I asked the club where they stand and what they’re telling people. Honestly, their answer was solid. They said they’ve started the process of looking for a new manager, gathering data, reaching out to people, and just getting on with it. That’s what you need. You have to plan.

But they also told me they’re not going to rush. No matter what happens with results – win, lose, or draw – they’re waiting until the end of the season to make a decision. If Michael’s interested in the job at that point, and honestly, I can see him saying no, because he’s that sort of guy always putting the club first, well, then he can put his name forward. Or maybe he’ll decide he’s ready and wants to stay. Either way, they’re handling it the right way.”

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