Charles De Ketelaere has been AC Milan’s main target this summer. Although a basic fee has been agreed with Club Brugge, they have demanded more money upfront in place of the add-ons.
De Ketelaere primarily plays as an attacking midfielder. However, the Belgian can take up a striker position as well. His natural ability in addition to his versatility is admired by Paolo Maldini.
Recently, there have been rumours of Olivier Giroud leaving. Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the other hand is 40 years old and suffers from knee problems. Milan will need a reliable striker up front as they go to defend their Serie A crown.
They have signed Divock Origi already, but someone for cover will be ideal. De Ketelaere can be someone who fills in for emergencies and cup competitions. Moreover, he can play along with, either in midfield or as a strike partner to offer the manager some tactical flexibility.
The Status of Charles De Ketelaere
The talks are still going on. The Rossoneri recently raise their offer from €30m plus €2m in bonuses to a new sum of €31m plus €2m in easy-to-achieve bonuses. There were another €2m in more challenging performance-related add-ons.
Sportitalia reports that Club Brugge has informed Milan they will take the entire €35 million sum but need to rephrase the specifics of the deal. They would prefer that a larger portion of the cost be paid in cash upfront rather than as performance-based bonuses.
Given that Milan has broken their prior hesitancy to pay above €32m in total, it does appear as though they are now nearing a deal. The deal will be completed for €35 million; the next step is to determine how much will be a fixed fee and how much will be bonuses.
Overall, it can be a steal for Milan. De Ketelaere is just 18 and has shown incredible talent. He can help them remain at the top in the future, and exponentially increase his value.
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