AC Milan signed a ‘top player’ when they fought off competition from Premier League outfit Leeds United to sign Charles de Ketelaere, veteran Serie A champion Zlatan Ibrahimovic tells Gazzetta dello Sport.
Last week, Club Brugge president Bart Verhaeghe admitted that Leeds tried to lure Noa Lang to Elland Road before the twinkle-toed Dutchman committed his future to the Belgian giants.
Lang is not the only Blau-Zwart star who slipped through Victor Orta’s fingers either. Leeds’ interest in the rangy, elegant De Ketelaere is well-documented. Chairman Andrea Radrizzani even confirmed to The Athletic that a £33 million fee had been ‘agreed’ with Club Brugge.
But, after holding talks with the legendary Paolo Maldini, De Ketelaere found the bright lights of Milan impossible to ignore.
“(Leeds’ interest) was very concrete,” the youngster’s agent explains. “They absolutely wanted him. He would play there every week, and Jesse March is a top-notch manager.
“Maldini then called him. Charles had a good conversation with (coach Stefano) Pioli too and was completely convinced. Leeds were offering 40 million euros.”
Leeds United, Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham liked Charles de Ketelaere
Even the most hard-nosed Leeds supporter would have to accept the allure of Milan. This is a Rossoneri side boasting a superb track record for helping talented youngsters realise their potential, after all, with Rafael Leao, Sandro Tonali, Fikayo Tomori and Ismael Bennacer all playing a major role in the club’s first Scudetto triumph since the Max Allegri era.
And, when the legendary Ibrahimovic returns from a niggling injury, De Ketelaere will also be sharing a pitch with one of the most iconic footballers of the 21st century.
“De Ketelaere is a top player. I say so,” says the former PSG, Manchester United and Barcelona hitman. “You just have to give him some time to grow.”
In seven games, De Ketelaere is yet to find the net in Milan colours. But, while the balletic Belgian has not really hit the ground running, he offered a timely reminder of his abilities with an energetic performance in the dramatic 3-2 victory over local rivals Inter Milan a fortnight ago.
“On Charles, there were West Ham, Newcastle and Arsenal,” his agent adds. “But, with them, the conversation never moved on. Barcelona had been following him for some time too, but I thought that was not the right move.
“Financially, Leeds would be the best option. But Charles wanted to wait a little longer. When Charles he felt that Milan wanted him 100 per cent, things changed.”
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