Forty million euros was on the table from Leeds United for Charles De Ketelaere, but it went unspent as the Belgian moved to Milan. That bid was confirmed by Andrea Radrizzani on the eve of the new season, but Jesse Marsch has now suggested there are not ‘big amounts of money’ for a ‘huge transfer’ this month.
The hole De Ketelaere would have filled remains the outstanding piece of business fans are waiting on from the Whites in this summer window. Marsch has openly admitted another forward would aid the balance of his squad, but it would have to be the right player at the right price.
The 50-day wait between Luis Sinisterra and the club’s next major purchase underlines how particular the profile is for the striker they might move for. Victor Orta is not rushing into anything and may not even add anyone before 11pm on September 1.
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“Striker, yes,” said Marsch. “How likely it is, is dependent on how things play out and what the availabilities are of players.
“We certainly don't have a surplus of big amounts of money to go out to spend and bring in a huge transfer, but we've done a good job of evaluating players that are of high interest to us.
“Then we're waiting to see and having good communication with different clubs and agents and players, to see if there might be flexibility in what their contracts are, what their situations are [and] we can still add a quality piece to what we're doing.”
Marsch’s comments about the lack of surplus cash did not tally with Radrizzani’s own assertions the club had more than £33m ready to spend on De Ketelaere. That point was put to Marsch in his press conference.
De Ketelaere is known to have been considered a major prospect by United’s recruitment department and potentially one of Europe’s best players in the years ahead. It is feasible Leeds were going the extra mile financially for a potentially generational talent in the Belgian.
He said: “I want to be fair to Andrea because, for me, he's committed in every way to every request I've had since I've been here. We're just operating within a budget that is defined.
“We're trying to find flexibility and be aggressive with some options, but doing it in a way that honours what Andrea has provided for us with commitment. I have a great relationship and we talk daily.
“There's always the conversations between Victor and Angus [Kinnear] and us and trying to make sure we're on the same page. Over the transfer period, things kind of ebb and flow based on the development of the team and each individual player.
“I could bring up 10 guys where maybe there was a thought about [them leaving]. We talked about Klichy (Mateusz Klich) and maybe there was an idea of a loan, what it meant to Klichy, his future and what it meant to us.
“It's come together in a way where everybody sees things now the same way and the air is very clear and understood. Then we can move forward all together.
“In the end, that's what's most important, that whatever decisions get made, either to move players out or bring players in, are done with the exact strategy and idea in mind for exactly what we need. A big compliment to everyone involved here in this building, and at Elland Road, we've done that really well.”
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