Andriy Shevchenko has backed Charles De Ketelaere to ‘unlock’ a new level once he scores for AC Milan. Yet the Rossoneri have offered the midfielder’s transfer to Newcastle United.
The 21-year-old has endured a frustrating debut season at San Siro since signing from Club Brugge last August. AC Milan paid the Belgian club €32m (£27m), plus €3m (£2.5m) in add-ons. The Rossoneri also gave De Ketelaere a five-year contract to seal his switch to Serie A.
Yet through his maiden 27 appearances in red-and-black, the 11-cap international has only offered one assist. He has further only started in 10 of those outings, which total just 1,100 minutes. De Ketelaere penned his sole assist for the term so far back on August 27, as well.
De Ketelaere has fashioned chances to open his account in Milan and enjoyed a productive record in Bruges. He left the Jan Breydel Stadium following 25 goals and 20 assists through 120 senior appearances. He graduated from the Blauw-Zwart’s academy to debut in 2019.
Roberto Martinez further saw De Ketelaere score one goal through his 11 appearances for Belgium. He found the back of the net against Italy in the 2021 UEFA Nations League third-place play-off. The Bruges-born playmaker also featured once during the 2022 World Cup.
AC Milan have already offered Charles De Ketelaere’s transfer to Newcastle United
Yet De Ketelaere’s struggles to adapt at San Siro have already now seen AC Milan offer his transfer to Newcastle. Reports by CalcioMercatoWeb claim the Rossoneri may look to sell him to the Magpies. The Toon should also have no issues with a €30m (£26.5m) valuation.
AC Milan are pondering a departure inside a season with De Ketelaere failing to show why they sought his transfer. Rossoneri chiefs are no longer enthusiastic about his potential in Italy. So, the Serie A side are increasingly open to recouping their investment this summer.
Yet Newcastle may face competition should Eddie Howe show an interest in De Ketelaere as Brighton & Hove Albion are targeting his transfer from AC Milan. Jeunes Footeux notes the Seagulls and Leicester City appreciate the chance to bring him to the Premier League.
Intermediaries have also approached Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Luis Campos to test the waters for a move to Ligue 1. Yet AC Milan icon Shevchenko believes De Ketelaere does not need a transfer as he will show his worth at San Siro once he finally scores a goal.
Shevchenko has told TuttoMercatoWEB: “He has to find the grit within himself. He lacks a bit of experience but I can see the technical qualities. He needs a goal to unlock himself. But having chances every match, this goal will come soon.”
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