Belgian journalist drops big CDK update for Leeds supporters: Orta readying late 'counterattack'

Leeds United are waiting in the wings with a ‘counterattack’ to sign Club Brugge attacker Charles De Ketelaere this summer, according to journalist Alexandre Braeckman.

The Whites have been extensively linked with De Ketelaere throughout the transfer window as the interest was ramped up following the sale of last season’s star attacker Raphinha to Barcelona.

Journalist Dean Jones of Eurosport claimed this week the Whites are ‘ready’ to make a deal happen if possible and the player has even agreed personal terms, but Victor Orta hasn’t faced a free run at signing the 21-year-old Belgium international as Italian giants AC Milan also attempt to make a deal happen ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

In fact, it’s been the Serie A outfit who have become the main protagonist for the race for De Ketelaere recently, leaving Orta sidelined and Jesse Marsch even publicly admitting they are ‘not finished’ but a deal is unlikely.

Taking to Twitter, Braeckman – a journalist for Bel RTL who has covered this saga closely – claimed there is ‘optimism’ between Milan and Brugge regarding a deal but Leeds have their ‘counter-attack’ ready to sign the eight-cap ace.

He stated: “These discussions are followed very closely by LUFC , which will counterattack immediately if no agreement is reached. They are ready to ‘steal’ the player if the Milan-Bruges deal fails.”

Although it’s smart to wait for any opportunity to sign a player clearly so highly coveted by Marsch, the Whites have been in danger of putting all their eggs in the basket of De Ketelaere and instead should perhaps be turning attention to alternative options as the Belgian edges towards Italy.

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