Gasperini Furious After Juventus Hijacks Roma’s Zeki Celik Deal: Inside the Transfer Blitz

FolioPitch.com – 17 July 2026 | Gasperini furious after details of Roma‘s Celik agreement revealed as the full story behind Zeki Celik’s stunning switch to Juventus has emerged, leaving the capital club in disbelief. Roma had gone as far as booking the defender’s flights and scheduling his medical for Friday before the Bianconeri struck, according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport, as relayed by SportMediaset.

The saga began when Roma’s renewal talks had recovered from an early freeze. Celik had initially sought around €3.8 million a year, leveraging Italy’s expiring tax incentives, and converged week by week on a package worth €3-3.1 million plus bonuses. The agreement was effectively in place: documents carrying the proposal sealed by new sporting director Tony D’Amico had been sent, awaiting only the entourage’s countersignature. So certain were Roma of the outcome that flights to Fiumicino were reserved and the medical pencilled in for today, 17 July.

Instead came the blitz, and its architect gives the story its twist. Frederic Massara, now Juventus’ technical director, had personally opened the renewal negotiation with Celik during his own spell as Roma sporting director, before pausing over wage demands he feared could unbalance the Trigoria dressing room. In Turin, that first-hand knowledge of the player’s situation became the foundation for a deal conducted entirely under the radar and announced within hours on Thursday evening.

Gasperini furious after details of Roma’s Celik agreement revealed also reflects the coach’s personal anger. Gian Piero Gasperini is said to be furious. The Roma coach had lobbied the Friedkin ownership personally to accelerate the Celik dossier and regarded the Turk as part of the squad for the club’s Champions League return. Supporters have been no more forgiving, branding the defender a “traitor” across social media despite a lengthy farewell letter.

The episode underscores the cutthroat nature of modern football transfers, where loyalty is often a fleeting concept. Gasperini furious after details of Roma’s Celik agreement revealed not only highlights the coach’s frustration but also raises questions about Roma’s negotiating tactics and their ability to retain key players. For Juventus, the acquisition of Celik adds depth to their defensive line as they aim to challenge for the Serie A title. For Roma, it is a bitter pill to swallow, especially after coming so close to securing the player’s future.

As the dust settles, Gasperini’s fury is unlikely to subside quickly. The coach had invested significant effort in convincing Celik to stay, and the last-minute hijack by a direct rival adds insult to injury. Roma now face the task of finding a replacement for a player they thought was already secured, while Juventus celebrate a coup that was orchestrated in the shadows. The saga serves as a reminder that in football, no deal is done until the ink is dry.

In conclusion, Gasperini furious after details of Roma’s Celik agreement revealed encapsulates a transfer window drama that has left Roma reeling and their coach fuming. The meticulous planning by Roma ultimately crumbled under Juventus’s quiet but effective approach, leaving Gasperini and the fans to wonder what might have been.