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Fabrizio Romano: Club now in talks to sign 22-year-old as a replacement for Leeds target

Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images
Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images
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Club Brugge v KAA Gent - Belgian Supercup
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According to Fabrizio Romano, Club Brugge are now in talks to sign a replacement for Leeds target Charles De Ketelaere.

What’s the story?

Well, it seems as if the Jupiler Pro League side are now resigned to losing their No.90 this summer.

Romano believes Club Brugge are in talks to sign Jurgen Ekkelenkamp from Hertha Berlin, although Royal Antwerp are also interested in the 22-year-old.

Initially, that seems like good news for Leeds.

However, unless Victor Orta comes up with something special at the last hour, him and Jesse Marsch are likely to miss out on De Ketelaere.

Romano believes AC Milan are “one step away” from signing the Belgium international.

Presumably, the deal will go through once Club Brugge manage to sign Ekkelenkamp – or another player capable of replacing the 21-year-old wonderkid.

Of course, things are looking bleak for Leeds, but until De Ketelaere is holding up those famous red and black stripes at the San Siro, anything is possible.

arsenal leeds Charles De Ketelaere,
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

Interest in the Belgian prodigy comes after he scored 18 goals in 49 appearances last season, while also providing ten assists.

To put it simply, that is a phenomenal return for a player so young.

Leeds must show how badly they want Charles De Ketelaere

After the departures of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, Leeds have money to spend.

Granted, they have already spent a lot of it, but with the Premier League TV money also boosting their accounts, Leeds can surely afford to make one final push for De Ketelaere.

leeds de ketelaere
Photo by Graham Conaty/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

90min believe Club Brugge and AC Milan have agreed a deal worth €35m (£29m), so it would certainly be interesting to see what happens if Leeds come storming in with a £40m bid, for example.

Only time will tell what happens, but it really is crunch time for Leeds in their pursuit of De Ketelaere.