Last summer, Charles De Ketelaere was a player constantly being linked with Leeds United. It has been confirmed since the window that Leeds tabled a bid of £35m for the Belgian – but now, he is available for less than half that.
Three-time Belgian champions De Ketelaere joined Milan after clocking up 45 goals and assists in 120 games for Brugge. Coming through the academy at the Belgian giants, he starred in his home country for his boyhood club.
It saw Leeds become interested. Milan, too. Leeds made an offer. Milan, too. Since last summer, Club Brugge CEO Vincent Mannaert said: “Leeds United offered forty million euros (£35 million). But his preference was for AC Milan.”
However, things have not gone to plan for De Ketelaere. The 11-time Belgium star has been a regular for Stefano Piolo’s side. But in 31 games for Milan – 11 of which have come from the start – De Ketelaere has failed to score.
Indeed, he has only managed one assist. His confidence looks utterly shot, and he has fallen down the pecking order at Milan. A report from Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport say his value has halved, now, just £17m.
Leeds tabled £35m bid for De Ketelaere: Now available for less than half
Do Leeds need him? Of course, the club clearly felt he was worthy of what was then, a club-record fee. Even now, still a joint club-record fee – alongside Georgie Rutter. He is a player that can play in most positions in attack.
But, he has shown at Milan that he is going to take time to adapt to the big Leagues. He is in a new country and at 22, it is always going be a process. But, Milan will have been hoping for a whole lot more than what he has showed.
Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo, Rutter and Joe Gelhardt up top. Cree Summerville, Willy Gnonto, Luis Sinisterra, Jack Harrison out wide. Harrison and Brenden Aaronson as 10’s. Depth at 10 is needed, but De Ketelaere is not a priority.
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