Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini waxed lyrical about Milan misfit Charles De Ketelaere after yesterday’s friendly against Juventus. It’s now a matter of days before the Belgian completes his loan switch to the Gewiss Stadium.
It’s been some time since Atalanta and Milan reached an agreement over De Ketelaere’s move to Bergamo on loan with an option to buy. Gasperini’s side agreed to pay the Rossoneri €3 million for a season-long loan. If the 22-year-old meets the expectations, his transfer could become permanent for €23m plus €4m in add-ons.
Milan splurged €35m to sign De Ketelaere from Club Brugge last summer, only to see him flop at San Siro. But Atalanta will give the Belgian forward the benefit of the doubt despite facing several setbacks in their pursuit of his signature in recent days. The player’s requests for commissions and salary had threatened to blow up the operation.
However, after resolving the situation, Atalanta will soon welcome De Ketelaere. Gasperini shared his view of the youngster’s arrival following a scoreless friendly draw against Juventus on Saturday night.
“I’m very happy about De Ketelaere if he comes. He’s a player I really like, if the conditions are right I’d be happy,” he said, as quoted by Calciomercato.
De Ketelaere will become Gasperini’s third attacking signing this summer. El Bilal Toure and Gianluca Scamacca have joined Atalanta to replace the departed duo Rasmus Hojlund and Jeremie Boga.
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