Leeds ‘may get opportunity’ to sign £30m star at Elland Road

Leeds United may have an opportunity to make a move for AC Milan and Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere in January, with the Whites potentially looking at a loan move to bring the attacking midfielder to Jesse Marsch’s squad at Elland Road, according to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs.

The 21-year-old has been on World Cup duty with the Belgian squad this month, before Roberto Martinez’s squad got knocked out of the tournament at the group stage.

Leeds transfer news – Charles De Ketelaere

Leeds had been interested in a move for De Ketelaere this summer as per TEAMtalk but missed out to Serie A giants AC Milan in the race for his signature in August.

According to a report from TEAMtalk earlier this month, the Whites have been in contact with AC Milan having asked the club to be kept informed of the future of the Belgian starlet.

Having failed to score in 18 appearances for the San Siro side since a summer move to the Italian giants from Club Brugge in a deal worth around £30m according to Transfermarkt, the same source has been told that Marsch’s side still admire the attack-minded midfielder, despite his struggles in Milan.

And according to Jacobs, Leeds may have an opportunity to get inside De Ketelaere’s head and convince him on a loan move to Elland Road this winter.

What has Jacobs said about De Ketelaere and Leeds?

Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT: “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.

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

“Paolo Maldini at Milan has said many times that it’s a shame about the situation because he’s suffered since the move. It’s a new environment, it’s different kinds of pressures. He’s there on a five-year contract and he’s only been there a few months.

“So, we have to wait and see whether there’s a window of opportunity for Leeds United to perhaps give De Ketelaere something to think about.”

What does the future hold for De Ketelaere and Leeds?

Whilst Leeds’ attentions may turn to attempting to lure the young star away from the San Siro in favour of Elland Road, De Ketelaere’s immediate focus will be returning to Milan refreshed having only seen 15 minutes worth of action at his time at the World Cup, according to Transfermarkt.

This will have frustrated the 11-time international, who will have felt that he could have made a difference in the side’s final group stage stalemate with Croatia, a game in which the Red Devils ultimately needed to win to secure progression the next stage of the tournament.

However, a positive showing on his return to the San Siro could further convince Leeds to make a move on the former Brugge star, with a strong return from the World Cup likely to prove that he would be able to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League, having struggled with the transition from Belgian to Italian football thus far.

The Whites may be salivating at the prospect of having a second chance at securing De Ketelaere’s signature, even if it is only on loan, and will feel that a move for the Belgian is now within the realms of possibility.

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