Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay has claimed that the club are still ‘very much in the running’ to sign Club Brugge forward Charles de Ketelaere despite interest from Milan.

The Lowdown: Versatile target

De Ketelaere is primarily an attacking midfielder, although the Whites see the 21-year-old as an inside forward or a secondary forward who could support Patrick Bamford.

He is thought to be a ‘serious’ target at Elland Road, with reports elsewhere suggesting Leeds would be willing to break their transfer record to bring him to Yorkshire in a €40m (£34.6m) move.

The player himself isn’t thought to be totally convinced over a move at this moment in time, though, after Leeds made initial contact.

The Latest: Hay’s claim

Hay took to Twitter on Friday morning to share a story regarding De Ketelaere, who he labelled a ‘hot property’.

The reliable reporter stated that 'Leeds United are very much in the running’ for the Belgian and ‘want to make it happen’, but added in a report for The Athletic that AC Milan appear to be ahead in the race.

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The Verdict: Exciting

It’s exciting to see that the club still feel they can land De Ketelaere despite interest from Milan, who can offer Champions League football, something the player apparently wants.

Leeds chiefs may well be banking on the lure of the Premier League to be the difference once again, after the pull of English football earlier in the window appeared to work for Rasmus Kristensen.

Kristensen was poised to join German giants Borussia Dortmund before Leeds came calling, so hopefully, they can do the same again with De Ketelaere, who would bolster the club's attacking ranks following his stellar 18-goal campaign last year.