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Leeds United consider £34million bid for Charles De Ketelaere
Leeds United are considering the possibility of making a €40million bid to land Charles De Ketelaere, reports Belgian journalist Alexandre Braeckman.
The 21-year-old Club Brugge attacker is in demand with a host of clubs having looked at him according to TEAMtalk at the end of March, but it is Leicester City and AC Milan who are the main competitors now.
The Belgian international had an outstanding 2021/22 season, making 49 appearances in all competitions while scoring 18 goals and providing 10 assists, and the Whites are now looking at a move for him.
Bel RTL and RTL Sport Belgium journalist Braeckman wrote on Twitter Friday morning (24 June) that Leeds were tracking De Ketelaere and were studying the possibility of meeting his club’s €40million asking price.
He says that Leicester have yet to make an offer although they are prioritising his signing, while Serie A champions Milan are looking at offering €30million plus bonuses.
In a follow up post he added that Bruges are still pushing to keep hold of him and that option can not be ruled out yet.
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Intent
While the potential exits of star men Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips are threatening to dampen the mood after a fast start to the window in the transfer market, this is the sort of target that can help address that.
Phil Hay suggests that the Belgian is a signing that will only happen if the star Brazilian leaves this summer, but with the first bid made for him and others on the way that looks like it could be nearing.
The €40million fee is sizeable for such a young player, but with 120 senior club appearances and eight international caps playing alongside the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard he is clearly a significant talent.
Plus, assuming the behaviour that has been exhibited in the chase for Raphinha doesn’t persist, the club should bring in around double that amount in proceeds.
It would be a blow to lose the 25-year-old, but the prospect has been on the table for long enough that most fans will have made peace with it.
If he was to go but the club could bring in someone like De Ketelaere and still have around half the fee left over it would make things look a lot more rosy heading into the new season.
In other Leeds United news, the club have pushed to beat the Italian giants in the race for another versatile attacking talent.