Leeds United target Charles De Ketelaere has been left out of Club Brugge's squad for their first league match of the season.
Brugge face Genk on Sunday afternoon in the Jupiler Pro League, but De Ketelaere has not been included in their 21-man squad for the fixture, with Leeds and AC Milan both interested in the 21-year-old.
De Ketelaere has been left out of Brugge's squad during pre-season fixtures, but leaving him out of their first competitive match of the season is a big statement by head coach Carl Hoefkens, with the Belgian club resigned to letting him go.
Leeds are looking to add a striker to their squad this summer, and De Ketelaere is the number one target, however, the player has made it clear that joining AC Milan is his preference. The Serie A champions can offer the pull of Champions League football, and Milan representatives were recently in Belgium to try and push a deal through.
Sky Italia have reported that Milan hope to reach a verbal agreement with De Ketelaere this weekend, but there are also reports that the Italian giants are still reluctant to meet Brugge's asking price for the striker. Leeds are monitoring the situation, and could make a move should the transfer to AC Milan collapse.
De Ketelaere scored 14 league goals in 33 games for Brugge last season.
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