Leeds United are keeping the door open for the potential record-breaking signing of Charles De Ketelaere as Victor Orta remains hopeful of a summer coup. The Whites have reportedly had a €40million (around £34million) tabled for weeks and are primed to act swiftly, should the opportunity arise.
But the Belgian star has attracted interest from across Europe after an outstanding season in which he scored 14 goals and added seven assists in 33 Jupiler Pro League matches - not least from AC Milan. The Serie A champions have long been reported as the preferred destination and sporting director Paolo Maldini has constantly reiterated he is confident of landing the 21-year-old, despite his side failing to meet Leeds’ price.
For a particular set of fans further north of Leeds, this may all sound a little familiar - and their experience of battling Milan to a marquee signing shows exactly why the Whites are holding on. Newcastle United made Sven Botman their top target in January as the Magpies looked to bolster their defence with top European talent in a bid to climb the table.
READ MORE: AC Milan make significant move for Leeds United target Charles de Ketelaere
Backed by the near-endless wealth of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Eddie Howe and Dan Ashworth acted swiftly to meet Lille’s valuation of the Dutchman. But Milan also had eyes on the defender, hoping that the allure of Champions League football would be enough to secure the deal.
But despite constant noise from the San Siro that they were close to agreeing a fee and beating Newcastle, the Italian giants never met the Magpies £35million bid and subsequently set their sights on cheaper options. Their hope that the player’s desire to move to the San Siro would force the French club to accept a lower offer never materialised, and their hesitation allowed Eddie Howe to take pole position and eventually sign their star man.
And now the same seems to be happening with Leeds and De Ketelaere. Maldini has travelled to Belgium on multiple occasions and always exuded the confidence of a man close to securing a deal, but Belgian media has started to report that they have made their final offer to Club Brugge and cannot go any higher.
That final offer is still thought to be some way off Leeds’ £34million, and unless De Ketelaere somehow forces the Belgian outfit to accept a lower deal, the Serie A club may be forced to pull the plug. While Elland Road doesn’t seem to be the forward’s ideal destination, he is ready to move on from the Belgian league and it will be up to Orta to convince him that Leeds are on the up.
But he and Marsch have every right to hold out and keep the door ajar, even if it risks having to bring in another option later on in the window. Newcastle got their man in the end, and Whites fans will hope they can do the same.
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