Club Brugge CEO Vincent Mannaert has revealed that Leeds United were set to break their transfer record to sign Charles De Ketelaere this summer.
The 21-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Elland Road during the latest transfer window, as the Premier League club battled with AC Milan over the Belgian star’s signing.
Milan won out in the end and signed De Ketelaere for £27m early last month, but Brugge CEO Mannaert revealed that Leeds offered more money for the youngster.
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According to Mannaert, Leeds submitted a club-record bid of £34m to sign the talented youngster and was keen to increase that offer, but the 21-year-old had his heart set on AC Milan.
The Brugge CEO told the MID MID Podcast, as broadcast by Voetbalkrant: “Leeds United offered €40m (£34m) for Charles.
“It’s not that De Ketelaere wasn’t interested, but at the time his preference was for AC Milan. I never really thought that we would not reach an agreement (with Milan). As it turned out, we got out relatively quickly.
“In those moments, there are simply three parts. Charles understood that Milan initially offered very little. Leeds were willing to pay more, but we also respect our player’s choice.”
De Ketelaere would have been a brilliant signing for Jesse Marsch, but unfortunately for the American coach, he was not meant to be.
