Leeds United want to spend over £124m as move ready for Club Brugge star De Ketelaere
Leeds United are ready to pay £31.6million to sign Charles De Ketelaere in a club-record deal from Club Brugge, according to The Mirror.
The newspaper reported via their print edition on Friday (8 July, page 57) that the Whites are set to offer a package that includes an up-front fee of £25.6million plus a further £6million in add-ons.
It is understood that with AC Milan and Leicester also keen on the Belgium international, 21, with Brugge hoping that they can spark a bidding war for the their in-demand star.
The Mirror adds that Leeds want a new striker before the transfer window closes despite the addition of Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord on Thursday (7 July) taking their summer outlay to £93million.
It means that if Leeds sign De Ketelare for the fee mentioned, it would take their spending to £124.6million.
Big outlay
Leeds made a lot of money out of selling Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City and they could still boost their budget by cashing in on Raphinha too.
Both players could leave in club-record deals for Leeds, which would recoup back a lot of that £124.6million – if the deal for De Ketelaere does eventually go through.
Leeds definitely need a new striker.
Patrick Bamford missed almost all of last season due to injury and his replacements, on the whole, were terrible.
Daniel James and Rodrigo consistently failed when played up front with Joe Gelhardt the only player to provide any sort of promise when he got his limited game-time up front.
De Ketelare isn’t an out-and-out striker as he’s mainly a left-winger who cuts inside.
However, he can play as a centre-forward and can also drop a bit deeper and play off one.
Last season, the Belgian title-winner scored 18 goals and supplied 10 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions for Brugge.
Due to his age and the form he’s shown in Belgium, it’s fair to assume that Leeds will be signing a top player if they do manage to land the eight-times Belgium international.
In other Leeds United news, this Whites star has informed the club he refuses to participate in pre-season preparations.