Jose Mourinho keen on Lille’s Turkish defender Zeki Celik
According to French publication Le Foot (h/t Daily Star), Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho is set to raid French Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille for defender Zeki Celik.
The 23-year-old Turkish international moved to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in 2018. He has since established himself as a crucial component in the French side’s first-team. Celik has made 68 appearances and has scored one goal and eight assists.
Primarily a right-back Celik is also capable of playing at centre-back and also in right-midfield. A threat at both ends of the pitch, Celik is a more level-headed player compared to Serge Aurier.
One advantage Tottenham could have in trying to tie up a deal would be the relationship our manager shares with the Lille director of football Luis Campos.
The duo worked together during Mourinho’s tryst with Real Madrid. Both of them share a good relationship and Jose has even referred to him as a close friend. That relationship could be put to the test following our interest in yet another Lille player.
A familiar trend
Tottenham have also been linked to other Lille stars such as Victor Osimhen, Boubakary Soumare, Gabriel, and now Celik. The report goes on to say that Mourinho has had an interest in the Turk since Kieran Trippier moved to Atletico Madrid last summer.
Interestingly, Mourinho’s assistant Joao Sacramento and goalkeeping coach Nuno Santos worked at Lille prior to joining the Portuguese in North London. Danny Rose is out on loan at Newcastle and could be on his way out. Aurier is the only right-back currently at the club, although Japhet Tanganga is also capable of playing there.
The youngster is, however, a natural centre-back and the club will do well to sign a natural right-back this summer.
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Tottenham Hotspur are currently in 8th spot, seven points off the top four. It remains to be seen if we can still qualify for next season’s Champions League.