"We can say that..": Italian journo drops big Leeds transfer update, Orta surely livid - opinion

Sacha Tavolieri has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Charles De Ketelaere.

In a recent interview with CMIT TV (via Sport Witness), the Italian journalist revealed that, despite Leeds having submitted a €30m (£26m) offer for the Club Brugge attacking midfielder – a bid the Whites believe AC Milan will be unable to match – the 21-year-old would much prefer a move to the San Siro ahead of one to Elland Road this summer.

Speaking about the interest in the Belgium international, Tavolieri said: “Now De Ketelaere’s choice is clear: he wants to go to Milan. De Ketelaere doesn’t want to go to Leeds; he wants to play the Champions League with Milan.

“We can say that €25m (£21m), bonuses, a percentage on resale, the player’s pressing, and De Ketelaere goes to Milan. De Ketelaere no longer wants to play on the right or left; he wants to be in the centre of the game.”

Considering the fact that Leeds appear to be more than capable of outbidding Milan in the race for De Ketelaere’s signature, coupled with just how promising a talent the forward-thinking midfielder undoubtedly is, Tavolieri’s claim that the 21-year-old is not in favour of a move to the Premier League this summer is sure to have left Victor Orta livid.

Indeed, the £27m-rated Belgian is one of the most exciting young talents in European football at present, having scored 14 goals and registered eights assists over his 39 Jupiler Pro League fixtures last season, as well as bagging a further four goals and two assists over ten appearances in the Champions League, the Beker van Belgie and the Belgian Supercup.

So promising a player is the Brugge starlet that he has already been dubbed the next Manchester City and Belgium legend, Kevin De Bruyne,