AC Milan make new €35m De Ketelaere bid but Club Brugge want offer changed
FT Desk
- Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
- 3 min read
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AC Milan are getting closer to signing Club Brugge star Charles De Ketelaere after raising their offer to a potential €35 million, FootballTransfers can confirm.
However, Club Brugge have asked for the structure of the offer to be changed.
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The Rossoneri have been negotiating with Brugge for much of the summer, having followed De Ketelaere since October of last year.
However, until now they have failed to meet the Belgian club’s €40m asking price.
On Wednesday, FootballTransfers understands that Milan lodged a new bid that consists of €31m up front and €4m in add-ons.
Of these add-ons, €2m are easy to activate, while another €2m are more difficult.
The Italians expect an official reply within the next 48 hours but the early indications, FootballTransfers understands, is that Club Brugge would like less bonuses to make up the eventual €35m fee.
This latest bid will come as bad news to Leeds, who made a far superior bid to Milan of €37m plus €3m in bonuses for De Ketelaere.
However, the 21-year-old has made it clear that he wants to join Milan and has thus been holding out for the Rossoneri to find a deal with his club.
De Ketelaere has already agreed personal terms with Milan on a five-year contract worth around €2.5m a year.
FootballTransfers understands that Milan are confident that they will sign De Ketelaere but it is not certain yet whether their latest offer will get the deal over the line, or if they will have to alter or improve the offer as explained above.
De Ketelaere is a versatile attacking player, capable of playing in a string of positions and systems.
He has been earmarked by Milan to play as their No.10 in Stefano Pioli’s 4-2-3-1 formation, but he is also able to play on the wing or as a striker.
He made his debut as an 18-year-old for Brugge and was immediately tipped for stardom, earning the nickname ‘the next De Bruyne’ by some pundits.
Standing at 6ft 3in, De Ketelaere is deceptively quick and agile, capable of beating defenders with skilful, quick feet in tight areas.
In the 18-yard box, he has the composure to make the right decision and the talent to execute, with an eye for a finish and an accurate final pass, both from crossing positions or playing through the centre of an opposition defence.
He has scored 26 goals in 120 appearances for Club Brugge, winning three straight Belgian league titles and being named Belgian Young Player of the Year last season.
He has also been capped eight times for his country, scoring one goal – interestingly enough against Italy.
