As Roma's new manager Gian Piero Gasperini settles in, he's wasted no time addressing the club's contract situation, with several key players nearing the end of their deals. The squad's future is taking center stage at Trigoria, and one of the most intriguing cases involves Turkish full-back Zeki Celik.

Gasperini has reportedly prioritized renewals across the board, from stalwarts like Lorenzo Pellegrini to fan favorites Paulo Dybala and Stephan El Shaarawy. But it's Celik's situation that's proving to be one of the trickiest puzzles to solve.

The former Lille defender currently earns €2 million per season, but his camp is aiming significantly higher. Celik's representatives have requested around €4 million annually, citing Roma's eligibility for Italy's growth decree tax benefits. The Giallorossi have countered with an offer of €2.6 million—a respectable bump, but still well short of the player's demands.

Negotiations have recently heated up, with Celik's agent making multiple trips to Trigoria. According to Il Messaggero, the agent first met with Sporting Director Massara on Monday, followed by a sit-down with Gasperini himself on Tuesday. This flurry of activity suggests both sides are serious about finding common ground.

While Roma has yet to budge from their €2.6 million proposal, there's growing optimism that Gasperini's backing could push the figure higher. The Turkish international has reportedly consulted with his new coach and given the green light for his agent to continue discussions.

Interestingly, Celik's camp has floated the idea of a lucrative offer from Turkey, but insiders suggest this may be more of a negotiating tactic than a genuine threat. With Juventus's reported interest cooling, Celik appears committed to proving himself in Serie A under Gasperini's guidance. The Friedkin ownership group now faces a decision: meet the player's demands or risk losing a key piece of the defensive puzzle.