Leeds United's hopes of completing a January deal for Charles De Ketelaere have been dashed by AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli after he revealed the attacker will be given time to adapt at the San Siro.
Having netted 14 goals and provided nine assists in a stunning 2021/2022 campaign with Club Brugge, Leeds were believed to be strongly in the hunt for De Ketelaere's signature during the summer window.
Despite eventually losing out to the Italian giants in August, the Whites were handed, what now appears to be false, hope of resurrecting a move for the Belgian sensation. Reports claimed that Leeds had asked to be kept informed by Milan over their intentions for the forward.
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However, said intentions could not have been more firmly outlined by Pioli, who guided the Rossoneri to a long-awaited title last season. “We have added a more offensive playmaker,” he explained to Sky Italia. “De Ketelaere is more offensive than (Franck) Kessie or (Rade) Krunic.
“De Ketelaere, (Malick) Thiaw and (Aster) Vranckx have just arrived. They must have time to settle. They come from another reality.
“Charles; I give him freedom. But, without the ball, he must have precise indications. He used to play in Belgium without realising the work of his teammates. He now has to learn to read the spaces. This (World Cup) break can help him.
De Ketelaere has started just five Serie A matches so far this season, failing to score in Italy’s top flight. He also figured during Belgium's miserable FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar under Roberto Martinez.
After failing in their pursuit of the 21-year-old, Leeds opted to sign Italian forward Wilfried Gnonto, on a five-year deal from FC Zurich.
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