Charles De Ketelaere says continues to reject Leeds United as personal terms agreed with AC Milan
Club Brugge forward Charles De Ketelaere is continuing to say “no” to Leeds United despite a £31.2million bid being tabled by the Premier League club, according to Calcio Mercato.
The Italian news outlet reported on 14 July that De Ketelaere, 21, wants to join AC Milan and has already agreed personal terms with the Serie A champions.
However, Milan’s latest bid for the Belgium striker has been rejected by Brugge as it’s worth just £22.8million plus add-ons.
It is understood that Milan know they’ll have to get closer to matching Leeds’ offer and are planning a new bid of £25.3million plus £4.2million of add-ons.
Calcio Mercato adds that “the next few hours will be very important” in the transfer saga.
Deadlock to be broken?
Everything about De Ketelaere’s situation at Brugge reminds us of what’s been happening with Raphinha for the last few weeks.
Raphinha wanted to join Barcelona and even though an acceptable bid was made by Chelsea, he didn’t want to accept a move to Stamford Bridge as he held out for a switch to Barca.
Eventually, Barca came in and offered Leeds an acceptable deal for the Brazilian and he’s now in Spain completing his transfer.
AC Milan are Barca in this situation.
Unfortunately, we’re Chelsea.
Player power does usually win and De Ketelaere is bound to get his way and move to AC Milan regardless of whether they match Leeds’ offer both for the transfer fee and personal terms.
The Belgium international doesn’t seem interested in joining us at all and the only thing that could change that is if Milan were to drop their pursuit of him.
And that seems unlikely.
Victor Orta’s time is better spent pursuing other targets now, we think.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are set to use fresh funding to try and complete a box-office signing at Elland Road.