Enquiry made: Man Utd, City & Arsenal eye pre-contract deal for Serie A ace

Manchester United are among several high-profile clubs hoping to seal a pre-contract swoop for a player flying high in the Italian Serie A.

The Red Devils have somewhat recovered from a shoddy start to the season by placing in a tight Premier League top half as we approach the final month of the calendar year.

However, their recent defeat to Everton brought an end to their five-game unbeaten run in the top flight, serving as a reminder that recruits in January could well be required to return to Europe at the first time of asking under Ruben Amorim.

That’s despite spending over £230m in the summer, although they enter the last week of November level on points with Spurs and champions Liverpool, while being just two points off fifth – likely a Champions League place come May as things stand.

According to TEAMtalk, United are “keen” on securing a deal for Roma defender Zeki Celik, who has featured in all but one of the Giallorossi’s league matches so far, missing the opening weekend through suspension.

Since then, he has been part of a defence that has kept five clean sheets in the 11 games he’s been involved, with Roma claiming a small advantage at the top of the standings in an incredibly competitive Serie A.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are two points clear of Milan and Napoli after their recent win over Cremonese, with the likes of holders Inter and Bologna just behind.

The reason United and others sense an opportunity is that Celik is yet to commit to his future at the Stadio Olimpico, leaving the prospect of a pre-contract deal in January very much on the table.

Rivals Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been directly mentioned as keeping tabs on the 28-year-old, having all made enquiries over the Turkey international’s potential availability.

The report continues to state that while Roma intend to retain Celik’s services, the defender is “expected to carefully evaluate” offers that may come his way over the next few weeks.

Therefore, it does seem that Roma have a battle on their hands to keep Celik on their books, and United’s recent enquiry could yet pose another challenge to those hopes.

United’s desire to bring Celik to Old Trafford is clear to see, with the Turkish full-back capable of playing in defensive midfield or as part of a defensive back three – a level of versatility which may fit well with Amorim’s preferred tactical shape.

Graduated in Sport Journalism (BA) with first-class honours from the University of Brighton and has since had bylines in The Times, sports business publication SportsPro, Football FanCast and The Gooner fanzine.