Richard Hughes gets unexpected second chance to sign dream Serie A star

Liverpool have experienced severe disruption in the right-back slot this season.

Ever since Trent Alexander-Arnold was sold to Real Madrid for £10m Arne Slot has struggled to fill the position.

Conor Bradley is out for the season owing to a horrific leg injury while Jeremie Frimpong is only just coming back into contention following his third significant injury of the campaign.

Joe Gomez has been in and out of the side due to fitness troubles of his own - with Slot often resorting to using out-of-position players at right-back instead.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo have all filled in at right-back - not an ideal situation when they are required elsewhere.

If Mohamed Salah departs at the end of the season it is possible that Frimpong will move further forward as a right-wing option.

That could open up a gap in the squad for a new right-back - to cover for Conor Bradley’s fitness issues and ideally to add quality in other areas too.

Liverpool linked again with Zeki Celik

That’s why Zeki Celik is such an intriguing transfer link. The 29-year-old Roma star is out of contract in 2026 - with no sign of a new deal in the Italian capital on the horizon.

The Turkey international can play as a conventional right-back but is also adept at tucking in as a right-sided centre-back and also plays as a right-sided midfielder ahead of a back three.

He could be a Swiss Army Knife of sorts for Arne Slot and Richard Hughes should they choose to pursue their reported interest.

Celik was reported last week to have sealed an agreement to join Juventus in the off-season - which would have put him out of Liverpool’s reach.

But his agent Fazil Ozdemir has put an end to speculation that his client will move to the Turin giants. And that should come as a massive boost to the Premier League champions.

No Juve move for Zeki Celik

“Rumors that Zeki has reached an agreement with a club are inaccurate,” a statement picked up by Calcio Mercato says.

“He currently plays for a major club, and it's natural for major teams in Italy and England to show interest in a player competing at this level and for his name to be associated with those clubs.

“His contract with Roma expires at the end of the season; however, he has great respect for the club. At this stage, he is not focusing on contractual or transfer issues.

“His full attention and commitment are focused on supporting Roma in achieving its objectives. We believe all other matters will be addressed and resolved in due course, in a professional and respectful manner.”

The English link could naturally be assumed to be Liverpool. Celik would be a no-cost option and given he currently makes around £43k per week at Roma he wouldn’t break the bank in terms of wages either.

With the Juve move parked for now Hughes has a last-minute chance to swoop in and do a deal for a top-class international star.

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