Leeds United warned by Sky Sports pundit after £34.1m record bid table for De Ketelaere
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Paul Robinson has warned Leeds United about their pursuit of Charles De Ketelaere with it being reported the Club Brugge forward isn’t too keen on a move to Elland Road.
Despite the 21-year-old’s preference being to join AC Milan this summer, Leeds have tabled a club-record bid worth up to £34.1million for the Belgium international.
Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported on Wednesday (6 July) that Leeds have offered £29.8million with an extra £4.3million in add-ons for De Ketelaere, who’s also wanted at the San Siro.
Robinson is concerned by Leeds’ big-money move for De Ketelaere, suggesting that it’s a lot of cash to pay for a player who isn’t totally sold on a move to Elland Road.
“It’s difficult to get a player to come to a club if he doesn’t want to go there,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“If you look at Raphinha and Chelsea at the moment and the problems Manchester United are having with Frenkie de Jong.
“If what you read is true, the player has the right to go where he wants to.
“If you’re going to be spending £20million or £30million on a player, it’s got to be the right player because for Leeds, that expenditure is a big outlay and they cannot afford to get it wrong.
“The last thing you want is a grumpy player who didn’t want to be there in the first place.”
De Ketelaere scored 18 goals and supplied 10 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions as Club Brugge won the Belgian league title last season.
He featured in the Champions League group stages and is able to play in a number of attacking positions, including left-winger and centre-forward.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites want to sign this English left-back as Orta continues to work his magic.