Belgian legend Enzo Scifo believes Charles de Ketelaere can become a £100 million footballer as Leeds United fight to lure the Club Brugge star to the Premier League, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The so-called ‘Golden Generation’ may be crumbling like a sandcastle with the tide coming in but at least Roberto Martinez has one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers ready and waiting to take the place of Belgium’s most influential footballer.
De Ketelaere has not been labelled ‘the next Kevin de Bruyne’ for nothing.
He may be more elegant and delicate than Manchester City’s piston-legged, one-man assist factory – De Ketelaere seems to glide across the pitch a la Kai Havertz or Mesut Ozil – but he certainly shares De Bruyne’s eye for a pass and defence-splitting tendencies.
In all competitions last season, he provided 18 goals and 10 assists, largely from his favoured false nine role.
Leeds United have offered £30m for Club Brugge’s Charles de Ketelaere
“If he continues like this, one day he will be worth 100 million,” says Scifo. “The thing that impresses is how much he grows and how fast. In two years, he has forged ahead and now you really don’t know where he can go.
“(He is a) little gem. I understand why (Paolo) Maldini fell in love with him.”
Maldini’s Milan are edging ever closer to an agreement with De Ketelaere (Calciomercato). It is no secret that the Serie A champions remain the 21-year-old’s destination of choice, despite rival interest from the likes of Arsenal, Everton and even Southampton.
According to Het Laaste Nieuws, big-spending Leeds United have submitted a club-record £30 million bid. One that satisfies Club Brugge, but not so much their velvet-locked wonderkid.
“He is young but already experienced,” says AC Milan legend Alessandro Costacurta, backing the Rossoneri’s ongoing pursuit of a player who could prove to be a snip at £30 million.
“He played in the Champions League. He’s got quality. He would be perfect (for Milan).”
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