Leeds having 'open dialogue' with 'very impressive' £27m target at Elland Road

Leeds United have been in dialogue with Club Brugge over the possible signing of Charles De Ketelaere this summer, according to Dean Jones.

Jesse Marsch’s side have been linked with a move for the £27m-rated midfielder throughout the summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan have made an opening bid to Brugge over the transfer of De Ketelaere worth £17.1m plus add-ons, but Leeds have also approached the Belgian side regarding the 21-year-old.

The attacking midfielder, who has been described as “very impressive” by Belgian journalist Sven Claes, is expected to leave Brugge this season, and Leicester City are another side who are reportedly monitoring the situation around the Belgian superstar.

The Whites’ potential signing of De Ketelaere would likely be funded by the sale of Raphinha, who is widely expected to leave Elland Road this summer following interest in his signature from Barcelona and Chelsea amongst others.

And Jones believes that whilst the negotiations between Brugge and Leeds aren’t particularly far down the line, the two clubs are in definite communications regarding the young prospect.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “De Ketelaere I’ll be honest, I’m starting to believe in this one more than I was at any other point.

“I know that dialogue has been open here.

“I don’t think it’s a long way down the line, and I think it is also dependent on the Raphinha situation.”

De Ketelaere would likely be a top signing for Leeds, with the youngster rated as one of Europe’s top prospects this summer.

He has been likened to Premier League star Kevin De Bruyne by De Krant van West-Vlaanderen journalist Frans Buyse.

“De Ketelaere’s style is reminiscent of De Bruyne,” said Buyse.

“He is intelligent, and possesses great vision and