Leeds United could potentially be given their second shot at signing Charles de Ketelaere, with AC Milan less than happy with what they’ve seen from the Belgian starlet.
Calciomercato.it explain today that the Italian club have decided to focus on signing Brahim Diaz on a permanent basis when his loan deal from Real Madrid expires in the summer.
That figure is currently set at €22m but they plan to hold a meeting with Madrid to discuss a discount on that figure so they can keep him.
They’re hoping Diaz’s willingness to stay can prove decisive in negotiations but don’t plan to go beyond €16m so know that talks with Madrid will prove to be tricky.
Either way they are focusing on Diaz instead of De Ketelaere, whose performances since a move from Club Brugge in the summer have been ‘unsatisfactory’.
Milan battled hard to win his signature at that point, beating Leeds United to his signature after it was reported that the Whites were at the front of the pack.
He ultimately went to Milan but they’re not impressed by what they got and their decision to now focus on Diaz is seen as one that can ‘change De Ketelaere’s destiny’.
The suggestion from CM.it is that spending as much as €16m on Diaz is a hint they want him more than the Belgian and would be willing to move him on if they received a satisfactory offer.
Whether Leeds United would be willing to make it is up for debate, of course, but they were extremely keen on De Ketelaere for the best part of two years before losing out on him to Milan.
It seems unlikely that interest has gone away, particularly as it was Victor Orta pushing to bring him to Elland Road above anyone else.
Now they may be presented with their chance to finally get him, although any move will be dependent on whether they can stay in the Premier League first.
