Leeds United now real danger for AC Milan in Charles De Ketelaere hunt, auction could begin
Leeds United are once again a real danger to AC Milan as the hunt for Club Brugges star Charles De Ketelaere continues, according to La Gazzetta Dello Sport.
The Italian newspaper has reported in their print edition [July 14, pg. 3] that the Whites could start an auction, just as Newcastle did to beat Milan to the signing of Sven Botman this summer.
It is shared that the white smoke is close, with the Serie A side set to up their offer yet again to try and get closer to what has been put on the table by the Whites.
It is widely reported now that Leeds are ready to pay a club-record fee for De Ketelaere, with £31.6million said to have been fired the way of Brugges.
Victor Orta is, of course, trying to win the race, but the player has made it clear that his wish is for Champions League football at the San Siro.
Newcastle are one of the richest clubs in the world now, so they were in a position to outbid AC Milan for Botman, something Leeds may not be able to do at this moment.
Of course, they can go higher than the Italian champions, who appear to be having difficulties in raising the funds.
Messing around.
The white smoke is said to be close, but that could easily be for Leeds rather than Milan.
AC are clearly messing around trying different tactics to reach the asking price even though they are said to only be only £4.2million away from the asking price.
If the Serie A champions start adding too many instalments or add-ons though, Brugges could quickly get annoyed and simply refuse to deal with them.
Think about it, if Leeds are offering the money upfront, then why wouldn’t they not take that over Milan’s offer? This is something that could easily come into play.
Elland Road could be a realistic destination even if De Ketelaere wants Champions League football, the Premier League is the best division in the world, he will know that.
Orta will have the backing of Andrea Radrizzani to get this done if he can, but it looks as though Arnaud Kalimuendo at Paris Saint-Germain is really becoming one to watch now over this one.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites now want to sign this striker with a rival set to kickstart a major £30million+ transfer battle