Milan directors Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara will fly to Belgium today for a meeting with Club Brugge to discuss Charles De Ketelaere. The counterparty has not budged from their lofty demands. The Rossoneri will verify whether they could seal the deal at their conditions or if they have to move on to other targets.
As per Sky, the Italian champions are unwilling to improve their bid. They have tendered €30M plus add-ons. They believe that to be the proper valuation of the starlet. On the other hand, Club Brugge are leveraging the interest from Leeds United and Everton to drive up the price tag.
Milan hope the player’s will be decisive in their favor, as De Ketelaere wants to join them. Instead, he is lukewarm on the other destinations. If they could not get him, they would likely rekindle their interest in Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech. The fallback target could move on to an initial loan.
The alternative would eventually free up cash for an expensive addition either in the midfield or in the defense. The Rossoneri have about €50M to spend. They have zeroed in on the 21-year-old as the right player to invest in. However, they are reluctant to participate in bidding wars.
Our Take on Milan Chasing After De Ketelaere
It is becoming clearer and clearer that the ownership change has not altered the modus operandi of the Scudetto winners, which have to walk a fine line in the transfer market. Their cautiousness is unglamorous but has spared them some trouble at times. But the prodigy seems well worth an extra million or two if that is what it takes to onboard him.