AC Milan will face competition from Leicester City to sign Charles De Ketelaere but the player has already made his desire clear, a report claims.
We reported yesterday how the Rossoneri have opened a dialogue with Club Brugge and while there is still no official offer from the Serie A champions, they have found out that the Belgian club are open to selling for an amount close to €30m, with the management convinced by the idea of investing in him.
According to today’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews), Milan have been admirers of the Belgian talent for some time but they have been joined by Leicester who are also interested in De Ketelaere.
However, 21-year-old attacking midfielder does not seem attracted that much by the idea of joining the Premier League side and his first choice still remains the Rossoneri, which certainly gives an advantage in negotiations.
Offer 30m +5m if he reaches 20 g+a next season. I think we will happily pay those extra 5m needed if he provides the goods next season.
“Hi, Brugge here.
“How are you going to pay the money? We want it in a lump sum up front and we know your current cash reserves are ~€26m
“We are being offered €40m from English clubs, we need to be able to say it’s over this figure to justify it.
“So we want payment for your progress in the Champion’s League each year of his contract. And for qualifying. And for any trophies you win in Italy or Europe. And for him making a number of appearances.
“And obviously a percentage of any future deal if you sell him on.
“And our legal costs covered.
“Are you still there Paolo?”
Never mind, he’ll phone back next week. OK, let’s call Rob Newman from West Ham back and tell him we want 45. No rush, we’ve already got the replacement sorted.
It’s normal that the fee for player isn’t straight forward. With basic fee and adds ons. It actually is better for the buyer, in this case Milan, since they got some ‘discount’ on the fee that will be paid only if the condition satisfied, and that will means good news for the club, as that will mean the transfer is a success.