Charles De Ketelaere makes categoric decision on future after Leeds United bid
Charles De Ketelaere is likely to flat out reject the advances of Leeds United with a move to AC Milan preferred, according to HLN.
The 21-year-old Club Brugge attacker has been the subject of a box office £30million offer from Andrea Radrizzani and the Whites which far usurps what AC Milan have offered the Belgian champions for their star man.
But things are not quite that simple as the Belgian international is said to be very keen on joining the Italian champions this summer for the chance to play Champions League football which, in turn, means he is not as interested in Leeds at this stage.
Brugge therefore may have to let Leeds’ offer go for a while until a definitive outcome is found between themselves, Milan and De Ketelaere, who HLN claim has ‘excluded’ a move to Elland Road from the start.
Despite this ongoing saga, there is yet to be a disconnect between the player and his current club due to a mutual understanding of the situation and his desire to play in Serie A over the Premier League at this stage.
Symmetry
There are so many similarities to this situation compared to what we have been dealing with for Raphinha over the past few months.
The player wants one move but the club can’t afford to pay the required price while the opposition in the transfer race have come up with the cash, but the player is unconvinced by the move.
Where we could learn something though is taking the player’s desires into account as Brugge appear to be doing because Raphinha has made it no secret that Barcelona is the move he wants, not Chelsea.
All of this is not helping Jesse Marsch though who wants to know what the majority of his squad is going to look like before the first team flies off to Australia for their pre-season tour down under.
De Ketelaere clearly doesn’t have the true desire to play for us and you can understand why the Italian champions would be an enticing opportunity but if he doesn’t want to make any contact with us, then we should pull out of the race entirely.
In other Leeds United news, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that “new contacts” between Victor Orta and this club have taken place as another Whites ace nears his exit.