Leeds United have set their sights on Club Brugge's Belgian international forward, Charles De Ketelaere as they look to put the final touch to Jesse Marsch's squad before the start of the Premier League season next month. However, they are not alone in coveting the highly-rated youngster, with AC Milan also bidding for De Ketelaere.
The Italian champions are said to be the player's preferred destination for next season but, in the current financial climate, even top European teams are finding that they are unable to compete with Premier League teams when it comes to the financial side of deals. That means that there is some hope that Milan won't be able to agree a deal for the 21-year-old, with Leeds believed to have the higher bid on the table.
According to reports in Italy, Milan are resolved to bring their bid up to the same level as the Whites' though, after they already lost out to Newcastle United for their top centre back target, Sven Botman, earlier this summer. There had been rumours that the Italian side were unwilling to pay a fee of over €30million for any player this summer, and bidding to the same level as the one Victor Orta has submitted on behalf of Leeds means that the Rossoneri would be 'altering their strategy'.
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However, it seems that they are so keen on the player that they are will break that self-imposed limit. Reports from both Italy and Belgium have consistently stated that De Keteleare is most interested in a move to Milan, so if it is the case that the Italian side make a bid that is deemed acceptable by the Club Brugge, it would likely knock Leeds out of the race for the striker. Orta is said to have three primary targets for each position he has been recruiting for this summer, so this would see him move for one of those players, though it is unclear at this stage who those other targets might be.
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