According to a report from TEAMtalk, Leeds United could renew their interest in Belgium playmaker Charles De Ketelaere and are looking to launch a summer move for the AC Milan transfer flop.
The 22-year-old playmaker arrived at San Siro from Club Brugge for a fee of €35 million this last summer, and there were inevitably high expectations with that.
After all, Milan beat off competition from a host of top European clubs to secure his signature, while the player himself pushed for a move to Lombardy.
However, he hasn’t enjoyed the best of starts to life in Italy and has largely struggled in his first season in Serie A, registering just one assist in 33 appearances without finding the net himself.
He has failed to displace Real Madrid loanee, Brahim Diaz, from Stefano Pioli’s starting lineup, and the latter’s recent stunning displays lately haven’t helped De Ketelaere’s case.
He’s also faced backlash from his own supporters for going missing in games, and could already be on the move next summer after only one year in the bright lights of San Siro as Milan look to cut their losses on him this summer.
Leeds tried unsuccessfully to land the Belgian starlet as Milan snatched them under their noses. It was a hotly-contested transfer race, and one which ran for most of the window.
The Whites tabled 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 and the player.
They haven’t given up hope just yet though as TEAMtalk report that the Peacocks are planning to offer De Ketelaere an escape route from Milan and finally hope to secure his signature.
While Leeds would be delighted to bring him to Elland Road, they would very certainly first need to stay in the Premier League to pull off such a coup, but sporting director Victor Orta will almost certainly give De Ketelaere’s pursuit a proper go again come summer.
READ MORE: Chelsea aiming to derail Manchester United’s summer transfer plans