Angus Kinnear details why Leeds United can take positives from missing out on Charles De Ketelaere

Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear says the Whites can take positives from missing out on their number one striker target Charles De Ketelaere. The Whites wanted to sign the Belgian this summer, but he chose to join AC Milan over Leeds.

Leeds met with De Ketelaere and made an offer for the player, but he made it clear that the only club he wished to sign for was AC Milan. The 21-year-old signed a five-year deal with the Italian giants at the start of August, meaning Leeds will have to pursue other targets.

However, Kinnear believes the fact that Leeds ran AC Milan close in the race for De Ketelaere highlights their ever-growing pull in the transfer market.

“With De Ketelaere, we came a very close second to a team that has just won the Italian title and will be playing in the Champions League this season," Kinnear told The Square Ball Podcast. Charles De Ketelaere was our priority. We knew it was going to be a longshot.

"Did we fail in it? Yes we did, but we also showed ambition in going for a player who it would have been seen as a surprise if he’d come to Leeds United. We’re a team that is a very, very attractive destination."