Leeds United accept Club Brugge wonderkid Charles De Ketelaere will see Elland Road as a stepping stone to the top clubs if the AC Milan target shows interest in a summer transfer.
That’s according to Leeds Live, who report the Belgian is the Whites’ major target this off-season. Director of football Victor Orta is showing a great deal of ambition to sign the 21-year-old, as well. But De Ketelaere is currently favouring the Serie A champions, AC Milan.
- Crystal Palace’s 22/23 XI with £20M West Ham target leading 4 new signings
- Jude Bellingham and Celtic ace lead Birmingham XI if they ket their top stars
Leeds believe the forward is destined for the very top of the game, and hope to be one of his stops along the way. He has already made 120 senior appearances since breaking into the Blauw-Zwart first-team fold in 2019, while registering 25 goals and 20 assists thus far.
De Ketelaere provided 18 of his efforts and created a further 10 over 49 appearances in all competitions last season. He also offered the Jan Breydel Stadium outfit a versatile threat, featuring and impacting fixtures as a striker, as an attacking midfielder and on either wing.
But Leeds trail interest from AC Milan in their quest to sign De Ketelaere from Club Brugge. The eight-cap Belgium international is prepared to snub their chance to play in the Premier League to join the Rossoneri. However, the San Siro side are still yet to offer a worthy bid.
Leeds only interested club to make Club Brugge concrete offer for De Ketelaere
Reports by HLN claim Leeds are the only interested club to make Club Brugge a concrete offer for De Ketelaere, currently. The Whites’ proposal of €30m (£25.5m), rising to €35m (£30m) after add-ons, also satisfies Blauw-Zwart decision-makers, just not the playmaker.
AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli and technical director Paolo Maldini have convinced him of a move to Serie A. He is completely inclined to don the red-and-black jersey next season if the Rossoneri agree terms, especially with Arsenal and Leicester yet to show firm interest.
Leeds fighting relegation last term has majorly put De Ketelaere off a move to Elland Road. But the midfielder accepts AC Milan’s only offer so far of €20m (£17m) is unacceptable for Club Brugge. Yet Calciomercato note they could add on Andreas Jungdal and Emil Roback.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
