Journalist Conor McGilligan has claimed that Leeds United’s hopes of signing Charles De Ketelaere could be set for a big boost.
Up to this point in the summer, the Belgian has been a key target for the Whites, but they seem to be facing stiff competition from Milan for his signature.
Indeed, it has looked as though the Italian outfit are favourites to land De Ketelaere, with the player understood to prefer a move to the Serie A club.
However, after having an ‘off-air’ conversation with transfer specialist Graeme Bailey and other people ‘behind the scenes’ at Leeds, McGilligan has claimed that Milan may not be willing to pay his valuation and are now consequently looking at alternative targets.
While talking on the One Leeds Fan Channel, McGilligan explained what he knew, saying: “Charles De Ketelaere, there is so much going around on him at the minute. Positives when it comes to Leeds United, what on earth is going on?
“Well, speaking to a couple of people behind the scenes, you guys know that we’ve had Graeme [Bailey] on the channel as well, speaking to Graeme off-air, all this sort of stuff – it does look like it is positive when it comes to Leeds United and Charles De Ketelaere.
“AC Milan are seemingly not budging in their valuation, they’re looking at alternatives; at the minute, they’re looking at Plan B, C, D and E, from what I have been told. So we’ll have to wait and see on that one.”
Will Charles De Ketelaere end up at Leeds this summer?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Charles De Ketelaere and Leeds…
According to reports in Belgium by HLN Sport, Milan do not appear willing to meet the €35m (£29.7m) valuation set by Club Brugge for the talented attacking midfielder.
With that in mind, it certainly would make sense for the Italian outfit to start identifying other targets – which tallies with what McGilligan has reported.
And so, if Milan are prepared to give up on the transfer, that will come as a huge boost to Leeds, who will now potentially have a free run at trying to sign De Ketelaere.
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Even if Orta persuaded him to sign it would be with reluctance on CDK’s side. After his snub of Leeds I can’t see true Leeds fans taking to him from the outset. He isn’t as highly rated by the big clubs and his valuation below €25m is probably realistic. Personally, I think he will play around with talks about trasfer then decide to stay at Brugge hoping for bids from Italian clubs in the future. Basically, it seems like another time wasting saga – time that could have been better spent finding players that want to join Leeds.