Leeds bid: Radz and 49ers now willing to spend big on 'superb' midfielder after Phillips news

Leeds United will make a £26m offer for Club Brugge star Charles De Ketelaere, according to The Daily Mail.

De Ketelaere is just 21 years of age and is primarily an attacking midfielder who can play anywhere in midfield or in attack.

Described by journalist Frans Buyse as a player who ‘possesses great vision and a superb passing range’, the Belgium international has contributed to 45 goals in 120 goals for his current employers.

He is coming off the best season of his career with 18 goals and 10 assists in 49 games, and it looks as if those displays have caught the eye of Leeds’ chief European scout Gaby Ruiz, who has watched De Ketelaere closely.

The Daily Mail shared a story on Saturday, revealing that Leeds are launching a £26m bid for De Ketelaere.

Sources from Belgium claim that AC Milan also hold a strong interest in the player, who is tipped to become the next ‘big talent’ from his homeland.

Leeds look set to receive an initial £42m fee from Manchester City for Kalvin Phillips, and it looks as if Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers Enterprises are willing to invest that straight back into the club in order to sign De Ketelaere.

Should a move go through, you’d expect that De Ketelaere won’t be a direct replacement for the England international, although the 21-year-old has experience of playing as a deep-lying central midfielder.

Signing him would bolster the Whites’ attacking ranks, and following De Ketelaere’s starring 2021/22 campaign, it could be Leeds’ best move of the summer.

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