CHARLES DE KETELAERE is close to completing a move to Serie A champions AC Milan, reports suggest.
The Belgian attacker is a transfer target for Leeds United, as well as a number of clubs from the elite bracket of European football.
The 21-year-old has agreed personal terms with the Italians, with just a transfer fee now needing to be agreed between current team Club Brugge and Milan, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Romano reports a delegation could be sent to Belgium as soon as Wednesday in order to submit a new proposal and complete the deal.
Leeds, who narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season, had reportedly been prepared to smash their transfer record to bring De Keletaere to Elland Road in a £32million deal.
However, the club seem to have now lost a march to their counterparts on mainland Europe.
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De Keletaere can operate anywhere in the attack, but was most typically deployed as a centre-forward or attacking midfielder for Brugge last season.
In this role he scored 18 goals in all competitions and contributed with a further 10 assists.
Brugge won the Jupiler Pro League title last season, pipping newly promoted Royale Union Saint Gilloise who finished first in the regular season before the playoffs swung back in Brugge’s favour for the Belgian league title.
Premier League sides Leicester, Tottenham, and Newcastle have all previously been linked with a move for the attacker.
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However, asides from the former who are still said to be ‘confident’ in signing him according to reports, the interest from these clubs seems to have dissipated as they have eyed new targets.
Leeds lost talisman Raphinha to Barcelona in a £57m move to Barcelona, but have been proactive in the window and replaced him with Luis Sinisterra.
They have also brought in Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca and Rasmus Kristensen to bolster their squad after also losing Kalvin Phillips to Man City.