Report: Leeds now readying bid for truly ‘complete’ forward who’s been compared to Roberto Firmino

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Leeds United are preparing a £26million bid for Club Brugge star Charles de Ketelaere, according to the Daily Mail.

The Whites are looking to bolster their ranks to kick on after surviving in the Premier League last season.

And Leeds chief European scout Gaby Ruiz has reportedly watched De Ketelaere extensively.

Meanwhile, The Athletic claims Jesse Marsch sees the 21-year-old as a potential secondary striker or false nine for them.

However, Leeds will reportedly be vying against Serie A champions AC Milan for his signature.

“Thriving”

De Ketelaere is one of the most highly rated youngsters in Europe.

He has already made over 100 appearances for Brugge and has won eight Belgium caps.

De Ketelaere burst onto the scene in 2019, making his debut against Real Madrid in the Champions League in 2019.

In the years that followed, he impressed against the likes of Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and RB Leipzig.

De Ketelaere also helped Brugge win three Belgian First Division titles in a row.

His tally at the club reads 120 competitive appearances, 25 goals and 20 assists.

De Ketelaere registered 18 goals and 10 assists from 49 appearances in all competitions for Brugge last term.

“His versatility is a huge asset,” Brugge icon Gert Verheyen told Het Nieuwsblad – via Goal.com – of De Ketelaere.

“He is complete, with a mix of physical and technical qualities.

“If they play him as the striker for a whole season and he continues to play like this, he will score 15 goals.

“The amount that interested clubs will offer to buy him for will be unprecedented in Belgium. I really think that.”

Goal.com also compared the reported Elland Road target to Liverpool and Brazil star Roberto Firmino.

‘A naturally selfless player, De Ketelaere has taken to acting as a ‘false nine’ as if it were a position he has played all his life,’ they wrote.

‘He is tasked with acting as a facilitator for others as well as with scoring goals himself – much like Roberto Firmino at Liverpool – and is thriving.’