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Exclusive: Leeds ready to offer former target nightmare escape, with high chance of success

Charles de Ketelaere, AC Milan, February 2023

Leeds United are ready to offer Charles De Ketelaere an exit route from AC Milan this summer, TEAMtalk understands.

Leeds tried unsuccessfully to land the Belgian starlet as Milan sealed a deal last summer. It was a hotly-contested battle, and one which ran for most of the window.

Indeed, Leeds lodged their own bid for the Belgian, reportedly more than what Milan had done. However, their overall package did not seem to have satisfied Club Brugge.

As such, De Ketelaere joined Milan after a long saga, for around £29million.

Things have not exactly gone to play since then. Indeed, after 33 games in all competitions for the Serie A side, the star has contributed to just one goal – in his third Serie A game.

His lack of effectiveness has see his game time suffer. Of De Ketelaere’s 25 Serie A appearances, he has come on as a sub on 18 occasions.

What’s more, a lot of those substitute appearances have seen him play just a few minutes at the end of a game.

As such, De Ketelaere, who is also of interest to Vincent Kompany at Burnley, and has started just seven games this season is open to the prospect of leaving.

Euro prospects influencing De Ketelaere decision

De Ketelaere’s lack of impact for Milan could have an impact on his international career. While he has been named in Belgium’s last few squads, he’s hardly featured.

He knows a repeat of this season will mean he doesn’t stand much of a chance to go to the Euros next year.

As such, being open to a move away from Milan makes sense. It’s a nightmare situation at the moment given his lack of impact in all competitions.

That is not helped by his lack of game time. Given Leeds were so keen on him previously, and are yet again in the mix, they’d surely offer him more time on the pitch than he’s getting at the moment.

Not only might that help them, but it could help him as well. Should De Ketelaere hit form again, Leeds would be a better side for it, and he’d aid his chances of making Belgium’s squad for the Euros.

Leeds’ pursuit is not yet cut and dried, though. The prospect of working under former Belgium international Kompany in an exciting Burnley side who are sure to be promoted to the Premier League will be appealing to a Belgian.

The Whites’ previous endeavours surrounding De Ketelaere could yet have them in the box seat, though.

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