(Football news) Leeds United‘s top target this summer was Charles de Ketelaere, who is set to join AC Milan now according to football journalist Fabrizio Romano. Jesse Marsch has been keen to strengthen his side’s attack after losing Raphinha to Barcelona earlier this month. Leeds since then have been linked with a whole host of players, but it was believed that De Ketelaere was clearly their number one target.
The biggest reason why Leeds were struggling to get this deal over the line was the competition from AC Milan and also the player was more keen to play for the Rossenari. The Italian giants wanted him after he had a terrific season for Club Brugge last season and it looks like Maldini has got his man. Romano on his twitter revealed that De Ketelaere is now set to join AC Milan on a five-year contract after the Serie A winners agreed a deal with Brugge, he further claimed that the youngster ‘only wanted Milan,’ as Leeds never really stood a chance.
“Charles de Ketelaere to AC Milan, here we go! Full agreement set to be completed with Club Brugge, after personal terms agreed weeks ago – just waiting to get the deal signed this weekend. Charles only wanted Milan to move as priority – he’s gonna sign until 2027,” he tweeted yesterday.
Milan have been chasing the young forward all summer, with Leicester City also interested. However, De Ketelaere wanted to play Champions League football next campaign and personal terms were agreed long ago, but the two clubs had been haggling over a fee. Milan technical director Paolo Maldini recently made a trip to Brussels in an attempt to hammer out a deal. Now though, an agreement has finally been reached at last, with the Rossoneri paying an initial fee of €31m with €4m in add-ons. He is now set to undergo a medical before being unveiled as a Milan player this weekend. De Ketelaere becomes Milan's fourth signing of the summer, with loan moves of Junior Messias and Alessandro Florenzi becoming permanent, and Divock Origi arriving on a free transfer following his contract with Liverpool expired. The Serie A will most probably sign two players as they have been linked with a move for Hakim Ziyech, who is out of favour at Chelsea and Japhet Tanganga from Tottenham on loan.
Also read: Charles De Ketelaere is close to joining AC Milan for a fee of €35m
