'In the next days...' - Journalist says Orta is now readying big Leeds bid for 'elite signing'

Leeds United are about to make a bid for Club Brugge star Charles de Ketelaere, according to RTL Sport journalist Alexandre Braeckman.

The Whites have already brought in three players this summer and appear to be closing in on a fourth addition in Manchester City midfielder Darko Gyabi.

A £5m transfer for the 18-year-old is separate from Kalvin Phillips’ pending £42m move to the Etihad Stadium.

De Ketelaere could become the fifth arrival in Yorkshire, with Leeds’ interest ‘serious’ according to Phil Hay, and it looks as if Victor Orta and co are about to make a formal bid for the Belgian.

Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Braeckman had this to say on Leeds and De Ketelaere, revealing that an opening €30m (£25.8m) proposal is set to be made ‘in the next days’:

“Leeds is about to submit a first €30m bid, it could be done in the next days, but I can’t tell exactly when.

“Bruges is expecting €40m, they know they could have a huge amount of money for this player. It could easily be the biggest transfer of the Belgian football (currently €27m for Jonathan David, from Gent to Lille).”

Leeds view De Ketelaere as a forward, although he can also play in a deeper role or on the wing and has just come off the back of his best season with 28 goal contributions. [Transfermarkt]

Attacking reinforcements are needed in Yorkshire with the new season fast approaching and Raphinha’s future still up in the air, so hopefully the club can get a high-profile move for De Ketelaere over the line, especially with European giants AC Milan also circling.

James Marshment said that the 21-year-old moving to Leeds would be an “elite signing” for the Whites, and you’d like to think that the Belgian would improve Jesse Marsch’s attacking ranks straight away