Club want face-to-face talks this Wednesday after Leeds lodge £31.5m bid

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AC Milan directors Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara will meet Club Brugge in-person on Wednesday to discuss a move for Charles De Ketelaere against interest from Leeds United Football Club.

That’s according to Calciomercato, who report the Rossoneri chiefs will fly over to Belgium for crunch face-to-face talks. The Serie A champions are determined to clear an impasse in their negotiations for the playmaker’s services, and are loath to let the situation continue.

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De Ketelaere is AC Milan’s top target on the back of winning their first Scudetto in 11 years but are yet to make a suitable offer. Club Brugge have so far rejected each bid the San Siro side have tabled, despite the Rossoneri improving their fee with each of three bids to date.

AC Milan opened discussions at €20m (£17m) plus bonuses, before returning with a €28m (£24m) rising €3m (£2.5m) offer. Technical director Maldini and sporting director Massara have also now submitted a €30m (£25.5m) plus €5m (£4.25m) bid, but still trail the Whites.

Leeds leading AC Milan interest with superior bid to Club Brugge for De Ketelaere

Leeds are leading the race with their interest in De Ketelaere, having offered Club Brugge €37m (£31.5m) for the AC Milan target. But the Belgian is not yet moving to Elland Road as the 21-year-old has given his word to the Rossoneri, and has agreed a contract in principle.

De Ketelaere has accepted AC Milan’s offer of a five-year contract worth €2.5m-a-season (£41k-a/w) before bonuses. He is also pushing for a move to the San Siro and shares their longing to finalise a transfer soon, whilst personally ruling out a move to West Yorkshire.

Leeds, then, will likely have to hope AC Milan cannot find common ground in their meeting with Club Brugge on Wednesday that will see the Jupiler Pro League side pick their interest in De Ketelaere, an eight-cap international who offered 18 goals and 10 assists last season.