Leeds to be kept informed about De Ketelaere ahead of January

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United have asked to be kept informed about Charles De Ketelaere’s availability ahead of the January transfer window as he struggles to impress at AC Milan, journalist Ben Jacobs has told Give Me Sport.

Leeds, of course, made a big play to sign De Ketelaere in the summer. Andrea Radrizzani told The Athletic that an agreement was in place with Club Brugge.

However, the Whites missed out with Milan signing the Belgian in a £30 million deal. Unfortunately, the forward has not had a positive time at San Siro so far.

He is yet to score and has only provided one assist in 18 appearances in all competitions for the Rossoneri. And with that, it appears that Leeds are sensing a potential opportunity ahead of the January transfer window.

Jacobs has suggested that Leeds want to know if the 21-year-old becomes available.

“There is a feeling at Leeds’ end that they want to be kept abreast of the situation because there is a feeling that perhaps, from Milan’s point of view, he isn’t enjoying things there,” he told Give Me Sport.

“That might give Leeds an opportunity, potentially only on a loan, to get back inside De Ketelaere’s head and do something in January.”

There may be some Leeds supporters who feel uneasy about the links with De Ketelaere. Obviously, he is an exciting talent with a huge ceiling. Radrizzani called him a ‘special‘ player after missing out.

If a permanent deal is at all possible, a move may make a lot of sense to the Leeds hierarchy.

However, he is someone who did not want to join Leeds a few months ago. And he has had a really difficult time with Milan, with just one goal involvement so far.

There is also the fact that he is not an out-and-out striker. And that is absolutely what we need in January.

Of course, we cannot afford to be petty just because De Ketelaere turned us down. Milan won the Scudetto last season. And they could offer Champions League football.

But we are unlikely to be splashing the cash next month. So unless it is a loan deal, it may not actually make a lot of sense to pursue a deal for De Ketelaere, even if he becomes available.