Leeds United are still continuing to pursue a move for Club Brugge striker Charles de Ketelaere. The Whites have had a bid on the table for a number of weeks now though the 21-year-old instead remains keen on a move to AC Milan.
Milan are yet to meet Brugge's asking price for de Ketelaere with both clubs now growing tired that an agreement cannot be reached. That could allow Leeds to swoop in and break their transfer record to bring one of Belgium's biggest talents to Elland Road.
However, as was evident with Raphinha, the highest bidder does not always necessarily come out on top and Leeds will still have to be patient if they are to land their top attacking target. Here is all the latest regarding the saga.
Ownership situation a factor
It's been reported by the Daily Mail that Milan's failure to up their bid for De Ketelaere is due to a pending change in ownership at the Serie A champions.
Currently owned by Elliott Management, Milan are reportedly not willing to up their offer because they are expected to sell up to RedBird Capital in September.
The De Ketelaere transfer saga looks as though it'll drag on for a bit longer, but Leeds remain in the conversation.
De Ketelaere still 'pushing for move'
Charles De Ketelaere is still 'pushing' for a move to AC Milan, with the Italian giants in negotiations with Club Brugge, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Milan are confident on landing a deal for De Ketelaere, who has been linked with a move to Leeds this summer and are in negotiations with Brugge, with the hope of reaching a full agreement soon.
Romano tweeted: "AC Milan are still confident on Charles De Ketelaere deal. Negotiations will continue today and Wednesday in order to reach full agreement with Club Brugge.
"De Ketelaere is pushing with the club as he really wants AC Milan move.".
Brugge coach addresses speculation
Club Brugge Head Coach Carl Hoefkens has provided an explanation as to why Leeds United target Charles De Ketelaere was left out of the Belgian club’s first game of the season this weekend.
The 21-year-old was not in the Brugge squad for their 3-2 victory against Genk to open the new season, with his future still very much in the air as Leeds and AC Milan battle it out for the young Belgian's signature.
Hoefkens spoke about the future of De Ketelaere after the game, revealing that the player was excluded from the squad at his own request, as per Calciomercato.com. “I’ll do anything for him… but it’s all a little too much for Charles,” he said.
Milan still to meet valuation
Leeds United have been handed a huge boost in the race for striker Charles De Ketelaere, with AC Milan reportedly set to pull the plug on the transfer completely.
According to Belgian publication HLN, Club Brugge have reportedly dropped the price for de Ketelaere to €35 million, but that is still too expensive for Milan. Leeds have maintained their interest in the 21-year-old just in case his transfer to the Serie A champions falls through - and that now looks a possibility.
The Whites reportedly currently have a £31.5 million offer on the table for the Belgium international. Jesse Marsch wants to recruit a new striker this summer, and de Ketelaere is the number one target, but he would prefer a move to the Italian giants.
Marsch admits interest
“I’d say we’re actively pursuing both positions,” the Leeds boss said ahead of his side’s open training session at the Fremantle Oval on Wednesday. “The striker one, I think it’s been well-documented that De Ketelaere was a goal of ours and it’s not finished yet with him.
“We’ve also moved on to some other targets, trying to figure out which would be the best fit if in the end, which is what we believe, he will not be available. At left-back we have a few different candidates and we’re just trying to evaluate where we are with the roster and what we need.”
Milan look to close deal
Paolo Maldini and Daniele Massaro will fly to Belgium on Wednesday to submit a new official proposal and finalise the signing of Club Brugge attacker Charles de Ketelaere, says Fabrizio Romano, who claims the player has already agreed personal terms with the Italian giants.
AC Milan had previously offered just over £25.4 million for the Belgian international, with Club Brugge keen to get £29.6 million.
Sky Sports Italy claim that Milan’s offer is expected to rise to €35 million in order to get the deal over the line. Victor Orta has turned his attention elsewhere after Leeds' club record bid of £31.5 million was rejected by Club Brugge.
Milan remain short
Leeds United’s main rivals to sign Charles de Ketelaere, AC Milan, have so far been unsuccessful with their bid to sign the young forward. Reports in Belgium say AC Milan have not yet made a suitable bid that reaches Club Brugge's valuation of de Ketelaere, which leaves the door open for Leeds to make a move for the 21-year-old.
With Raphinha's move to Barcelona moving closer to completion with a fee now agreed, the funds from that deal could help Leeds launch a bid for de Ketelaere in the near future.
Brugge stance
Club Brugge would reportedly prefer to sell attacker Charles de Ketelaere to Leeds United than AC Milan as they are able to pay more up front. That is according to the Daily Mirror, via TeamTalk, who claim the Whites are willing to offer a club record £31.6 million fee, with £25.6 million of that coming up front.
Of course, Leeds know by now that a club’s preference is not the be all and end all in a transfer saga, as has been apparent with Raphinha this summer. It has been well documented that de Ketelaere’s preferred destination is AC Milan due to their ability to offer Champions League football, however if they cannot meet the asking price then Leeds could be there waiting to swoop in.
Milan intensify efforts
AC Milan will intensify their efforts to sign Charles De Ketelaere this week by increasing their initial bid for the Club Brugge star, according to Italian newspaper Tuttosport (via PianetaMilan ). The Serie A champions are thought to be readying an offer of €30million - equivalent to around £25million - plus bonuses and a significant sell-on fee.
That improved bid is thought to be level with Leeds’ current offer, but reports suggest Victor Orta and the club are set to smash their transfer record with a £32million bid being readied. Leeds will hope that they can price out Milan before using the pull of Premier League football to encourage De Ketelaere to Elland Road.
De Ketelaere left out of Brugge squad
There are suggestions from Belgium that clarity over Charles De Ketelaere's future may be nearing, as the Belgian was left out of Club Brugge's friendly fixture against FC Kobenhavn on Saturday. The 21-year-old is subject to bids from both Leeds United and AC Milan and both clubs appear to have stepped up their interest in recent days.
Leeds are said to have the highest bid on the table currently, but reports have made it clear that the player's preferred option is a move to the Italian capital. It appears that the Whites' best chance of winning De Ketelaere's signature is if Milan fail to offer the asking price Brugge desire.
Leeds readying first bid for De Ketelaere
After almost a week of rumours linking De Ketelaere to Leeds, news finally broke - on the evening of Monday, June 27 – that a formal bid was being prepared. Answering a question from a Leicester fan who was wondering if there was any concrete Foxes interest,
replied on Twitter: “Milan and Leeds are both ready to make a substantial bid (around €30M + bonus for Milan, €30M for Leeds). Leicester didn't show any intention to do the same in recent days, but never say never about transfers.”
Leeds pursuing De Ketelaere
Despite hearing that De Ketelaere was perhaps not interested in making the move to the Whites, The Athletic claimed that the club were still very much interested in signing him. The report stated that he was viewed as a potential secondary striker for Marsch’s side or as a false nine.
It came just a few days after The Athletic also reported that Arsenal were set to intensify their interest in Raphinha by submitted an improve bid to the one that was initially rejected.
De Ketelaere not interested by Leeds speculation
A couple of days after it had been rumoured that the Belgium international was on Leeds’ transfer wishlist, an update from the player’s home country stated that the player himself was not keen on a move to West Yorkshire.
Writing on Twitter, Belgian journalist
said (via translation): “Charles De Ketelaere's entourage have let Leeds know they are not interested in joining the club despite their interest. Leeds are still pushing, but the track is getting colder very quickly.”
Leeds monitoring De Ketelaere
The very first report of any interest from Elland Road in the 21-year-old came courtesy of
on Wednesday, June 22. The transfer expert wrote: “Leeds are monitoring Bruges star Charles De Ketelaere as one of the options in the list, as Raphinha could leave for £65m.
“AC Milan are also interested in De Ketelaere since long time, part of the list. Leeds list also includes Cody Gakpo but not advanced/close.”
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