Leeds United try to convince Charles de Ketelaere with wage offer, AC Milan ready to pay £26m
Leeds United are offering Charles de Ketelaere a “super salary” in an attempt to beat AC Milan to his signature, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Despite the Serie A champions being the preferred option for the Belgian and the player previously telling United he wasn’t interested [Alexandre Braeckman] the club have not given up the chase.
Phil Hay confirmed in The Athletic on Monday [4 July] he is still a “serious” target for after the signings of Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra.
United have made an early pitch for the 21-year-old but Milan are reportedly prepared to pay “at least” €30million, a significant amount of their transfer budget according to Gazzetta.
They hope that would be enough to overcome the “rich” offer from Leeds as well as their big personal terms.
In addition they report that Southampton have now joined the race for the international. Leicester City have long been noted to also want him.
Premier League sides have the financial muscle but the report states that “certain details are priceless” in terms of his desire to move to Italy and Milan’s shirt carrying their “tricolor” flag.
Tough battle
It is surprising that the Whites have such a belief that they can win this one considering the early signs weren’t positive.
They clearly hope that their bank balance can overcome the Italian champions, but the fact they cannot offer European football is a sticking point, especially when he can play in the Champions League if he stays where he is.
At the San Siro the situation is not as simple as just offering more money, but if they are ready to go above €30million it could be the clincher.
Bruges understandably want a big number for their star man and the irony here is that Leeds appear to be playing the same role as Chelsea in the Raphinha chase, willing to offer big money but definitely second choice.
In both cases it remains to be seen whether the selling club are prepared to accept any less from the players’ preferred destinations.
The difference here is that it looks like Milan are ready to get up to around the transfer fee on offer from Elland Road, and after that a less lucrative contract could be less of an issue if de Ketelaere has his heart set on wearing red and black.
United are showing plenty of ambition which could be enough to overcome Premier League rivals, but if the Italians get a bid accepted that is surely the end of the road for this one.
In other Leeds United news, a major bid for a Whites star could be taken off the table this week in a significant twist to his story this summer.