Report: Leeds ready to break club transfer record to sign ‘complete’ player, he’d be ‘final piece’ of jigsaw

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Leeds United are reportedly prepared to break their club transfer record in order to sign Charles De Ketelaere.

The Whites have had a very busy summer on the transfer front, bringing in several players and also losing two of their top stars.

Leeds have signed six players so far – Brenden Aaronson, Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca and Darko Gyabi.

However, Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha have left Elland Road for Manchester City and Barcelona respectively.

The Mirror has today published a report looking at Leeds’ transfer activity this summer.

The newspaper claims the Whites ‘are optimistic their squad will look better than it did on the final day of last season when they dodged relegation by beating Brentford’.

In addition, Leeds are now looking at the ‘final piece’ of their ‘transfer jigsaw’ – namely a striker.

And in terms of targets, ‘Leeds are prepared to pay a club record £31.6million’ to sign De Ketelaere.

As well as the Belgian, the Whites have reportedly offered Paris St Germain £21.4million for Arnaud Kalimuendo.

‘What is clear is that they will end the transfer window stronger than when it began,’ added the report.

“Thriving”

De Ketelaere is one of the most highly rated young players 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 that year.

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.”