Leeds United have indicated to top target Charles De Ketelaere that they can meet his salary demands, according to Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Forward wanted

The Whites are on the hunt for a new forward ahead of the upcoming Premier League season after already making six signings so far this summer.

The funds received from Raphinha’s £55m move to Barcelona look set to be used on a new attacking arrival, with De Ketelaere and Paris Saint-Germain’s Arnaud Kalimuendo two players heavily linked with a move to Elland Road.

AC Milan are also in the race for De Ketelaere, who appears to prefer a move to the San Siro over Yorkshire at this moment in time.

The Latest: Hay’s claim

Writing in a piece for The Athletic, Hay said that Leeds know Club Brugge’s £30m valuation of the 21-year-old and are willing to meet it.

The Leeds correspondent added that the club also ‘know how much De Ketelaere would expect as a salary package and have indicated to him that they can match his demands’.

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The Verdict: Still hope?

Leeds’ pursuit of De Ketelaere, who has been hailed as a player with ‘stunning’ technical qualities, appears to still be alive, but the club could do with getting a forward in as soon as possible with the new campaign fast approaching.

Both Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt have already had their injury issues in pre-season, which could leave Jesse Marsch short of options in attack against Wolves on August 6.

We all know about Bamford’s struggles from last season, so getting a new forward in the door quickly would be ideal, but it looks as if a move for De Ketelaere is a complicated one.