Podcaster and YouTuber Conor McGilligan has expressed his excitement as Leeds United got an update in their pursuit of Charles De Ketelaere.
The striker has been a key target for the Whites in the current transfer window, but it has looked as though Milan could land the player instead.
However, in a recent update, journalist Alexandre Braeckman claimed that Leeds have made a bid worth €37m (£31.2m) including add-ons. He seemed to suggest there is a possibility that Milan won’t be able or perhaps be willing to match this, and so the saga could swing back in the Premier League club’s favour – particularly as Raphinha’s expected big-money move to Barcelona could help them fund a heavy outlay of their own.
Speaking about his understanding of the situation on the One Leeds Fan Channel, McGilligan said the latest update was ‘very exciting’.
He explained: “It looks like Leeds United are looking to up the bid to £30m, which is very exciting, it’s about €36m.
“But that then will be aided now, hopefully, if we get it up front, that will be aided by the Raphinha money as we’re speaking right now.
“So Club Brugge will obviously want the highest fee. Rumours this morning are suggesting that AC Milan ain’t going above their fee.
“De Ketelaere wants the move to AC Milan; he prefers the move to AC Milan – as I’ve said multiple times, it’s the Raphinha saga to Chelsea, we’re all a bit bored by it – but we have to keep on the developments, don’t we, because he would be an unbelievable signing for Leeds United.”
Will Charles De Ketelaere end up at Leeds this summer?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Charles De Ketelaere and Leeds…
As McGilligan makes clear, the current understanding is that De Ketelaere would prefer a move to Serie A with Milan. However, with Leeds seemingly happy to put more money on the table, Club Brugge may opt to sell him to the Whites instead.
Of course, fans will be familiar with this sort of scenario, with Raphinha recently preferring a move to Barcelona, despite a big bid from Chelsea. In the end, it looks as though the Brazilian will get his move to La Liga, so Leeds fans may be wary of that.
But for now, De Ketelaere’s future does seem to hang in the balance, and if Milan won’t pay the required fee, Leeds seem to be ready and waiting in the wings to land this ‘unbelievable signing’.