Offloading Charles De Ketelaere is among the top priorities for Milan this summer as part of the club’s fund-raising campaign. According to Calciomercato, the Serie A runners-up are willing to change the terms of their loan agreement with Atalanta to facilitate the Belgian’s exit.
Milan earned around €3 million for the one-season loan last summer. Atalanta included a buyout clause set at €22m plus €2m in add-ons and a 10 percent cut of the sell-on fee.
But despite lifting the Europa League title and their genuine ambition to turn De Ketelaere’s move permanent, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men seek a discount. Though Milan initially had no intention of altering the terms, they’re now open to making a minor adjustment to help Atalanta.
While there’s no chance Milan will accept anything less than the pre-arranged €24m, they’re ready to give up the sell-on clause. The Rossoneri paid Club Brugge €36.5m to bring De Ketelaere to San Siro in 2022. Yet they owe the Belgians a 12 percent cut of his sell-on fee.
Plus, selling De Ketelaere for a lesser figure than the one already agreed with Atalanta would see Milan suffer a significant capital loss. Since it would damage the club’s balance sheets, Atalanta can either splash the cash or turn their attention to other targets.
Milan are desperate to cash in on De Ketelaere to bolster their hopes of closing a big-money arrival of Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee. Negotiations with his agent, Kia Joorabchian, have hit a standstill, but they remain optimistic about landing the Dutchman.
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