Leeds United will reportedly be tracking the progress of 21-year-old Belgian international Charles De Ketelaere over a possible move this summer.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Charles De Ketelaere is the subject of interest from Leeds United over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Whites are tracking the 21-year-old Belgian international as a possible replacement for Raphinha, with Cody Gakpo another talent for the West Yorkshire club.
Charles De Ketelaere is one of the most promising young attackers in Europe, having made swift progress since joining Club Brugge. The player has been with Club Brugge since he began his youth career as a seven-year-old and has gone from strength to strength since making his first-team debut as an 18-year-old in 2019.
The 21-year-old has made significant progress in the last three years, establishing himself as a pivotal figure for the Belgian club. At the same time, De Ketelaere has become a regular fixture in the Belgian national squad and will likely be on the plane to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The youngster’s progress has not gone unnoticed either, with Leeds United among his prospective suitors.
Leeds United will make at least one attacking reinforcement in the summer transfer window, with Raphinha expected to depart from Elland Road to embark on a new adventure in the summer transfer window. The Brazilian has popped up on the radars of some of the most high-profile clubs in Europe, with Tottenham recently showing interest in him.
Raphinha’s departure will leave a gaping hole in Leeds United’s attacking department, prompting the West Yorkshire club to scour the market for a replacement. To that end, Cody Gakpo recently emerged as a potential replacement for Raphinha, with De Ketelaere another candidate on Leeds’s shortlist.
That said, De Ketelaere will not be a like-for-like replacement for Raphinha, although Leeds should still pursue the 21-year-old as he can be an upgrade over Rodrigo Moreno. With Leeds’s attackers leaving a lot to be desired this past season, signing both Gakpo and De Ketelaere will be a step in the right direction.
It is unclear how much Leeds will need to fork out to secure the services of the Belgian international after joining the race to sign him. But with other European bigwigs like AC Milan also hot on his heels, the Whites need to make a move for him quickly this summer.