The reflections continue after a difficult season for Charles De Ketelaere with a sale this summer not ruled out, according to a report.
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La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes that Milan are not planning any €40-50m signings despite the big-money sale of Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United, but further sales could potentially change that.
De Ketelaere could hold the key in this sense, having disappointed with zero goals and one assist in his debut season with the Rossoneri after the €35m paid out to Club Brugge last summer.
Milan’s policy is to invest in young talent and help develop them before potentially selling them on for a huge price in the future, just as happened with Tonali, but thus far the Belgian’s value has probably gone down if anything.
Milan will listen to offers for De Ketelaere, especially if they are around the €28-30m needed to avoid a loss on the accounts. Atalanta are one club that are interested, wanting a loan with option to buy at the moment.
De Ketelaere’s crisis continued into the Under 21 European Championship with Belgium. Head coach Mathijssen fielded him three games out of three and never brought him off, even entrusting him with the captain’s armband against the Netherlands.
CDK started on the right, played as a second striker and as an attacking midfielder but was unable to unlock any games. He hasn’t scored a goal since April 2022 and while there continues to be support from team-mates, the pressure seems to have gotten to him.
De Ketelaere should report for preseason a bit after the rest of the squad on 10 July because of his commitments with the U21 side, unless he decides to cut his holidays short or there are market-related developments.
