Leeds: £27m star's signing would be 'signal of intent' at Elland Road

Leeds United will show ‘a real signal of intent’ if they succeed in tempting Charles de Ketelaere to Elland Road, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Club Brugge star has worked his way onto the Whites’ radar as Jesse Marsch, who was appointed as the Yorkshire giants’ head coach in February, continues to put his own stamp on the squad he inherited from Marcelo Bielsa.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano first revealed Leeds’ interest in de Ketelaere by suggesting he was being monitored as a potential replacement for Raphinha.

It is understood that the Premier League side see the 21-year-old as a potential option in the secondary striker role or as a false nine, but they are facing competition from Serie A title holders AC Milan.

However, Leeds appear to have suffered an early setback in their pursuit of the eight-cap Belgium international and they will have to work hard to convince him to head for Elland Road.

That is because, according to RTL Sport, de Ketelaere has already suggested that he is not interested in joining the Whites before the transfer window slams shut on September 1.

It is thought that de Ketelaere’s admirers, which also includes Leeds’ domestic rivals Leicester City, will have to fork out £34.5million in order to get their man.

O’Rourke believes Leeds would show they mean business if they succeed in convincing de Ketelaere to link-up with Marsch’s charges.

However, the journalist has doubts as to whether the Belgian will be on the Elland Road books by the time the upcoming season gets underway.

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O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “I think he’d be a really astute signing by Leeds, if they were to get him.

“De Ketelaere has been a