Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has made a claim on the club’s pursuit of Club Brugge forward Charles De Ketelaere.
The Lowdown: De Ketelaere absent from Brugge squad
The Whites have been linked with a move for the 21-year-old in recent weeks, with Phil Hay recently stating that Leeds will step up their interest when Raphinha moves on. However, AC Milan are also extremely keen on the forward, and it looks as if a move to Italy is what De Ketelaere prefers.
Reports over the weekend claimed that De Ketelaere was left out of Brugge’s squad for a match against Copenhagen due to his uncertain future.
The Latest: Robinson reacts
Robinson, who contributes as a pundit for Sky Sports, was talking to MOT Leeds News regarding De Ketelaere after hearing the news on the Belgian's absence from the Brugge squad.
He said that a move to Elland Road could go through following the update, stating that the 21-year-old's ‘future lies elsewhere’.
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The former Leeds goalkeeper stated:
“It looks like that deal might be going through.
“You see it a lot now – more than you ever used to – players getting left out of pre-season tours and pre-season friendlies if there’s a potential move for them.
“It doesn’t take an intelligent person to work out that if they’re not part of the squad in pre-season, their future lies elsewhere.”
The Verdict: Fingers crossed
It looks as if Leeds still feel they can get a deal over the line for De Ketelaere in what you’d expect would be their final piece of major summer business.
He can play anywhere in attack and has just come off the back of an excellent season in front of goal for Brugge, so it would be a real coup if the Whites can pip Milan to his services.
De Ketelaere may need some persuading over a move to Yorkshire, but it looks as if the club feel that a move still has legs; and as Robinson says, his absence from the Brugge squad appears to point towards an exit from the Belgian giants.