AC Milan ready to loan out Charles De Ketelaere amid Everton transfer development
Italian giants AC Milan are prepared to let attacking midfielder Charles De Ketelaere leave the club on loan this summer, with Everton one of three Premier League sides interested, according to Pianeta Milan.
The Belgium international has sparked interest from Crystal Palace and West Ham, with Italian outfits Atalanta and Monza also in the picture. Milan are reportedly willing to accept a loan deal or an outright sale.
His agents are also reportedly pushing for a move away from Milan in a bid to revitalise the 23-year-old’s career and put him in contention for a call-up to Euro 2024 in Germany next summer.
A gamble worth taking?
De Ketelaere had a tough season. With 32 appearances in the league under his belt he only managed one assist and no goals to boast either.
However, he is still young and has had successful goalscoring seasons in his short career so far, namely 18 goals in 49 appearances for Club Brugge in 2021/22 in the season before his £30million move to Milan.
De Ketelaere has a desirable player profile. His excellent technical ability, skilful dribbling and six-foot-three stature make him a tough boy to beat.
He also is no out-and-out forward and often plays between the lines to perhaps take a shot or progress the ball to the byline and pass the ball back into danger for a team-mate. The 10 assists he claimed in his final season in Belgium also reflect his ability to create goals for his team and progress his sides further up the pitch.
A sprinkle of creativity sounds like something Everton could do with, but the player would be a dice roll. His poor season may make a few Evertionans shrug him off, and perhaps understandably as a proven goalscorer may be a more desirable target.
Also, being unfamiliar with the Premier League could mean he takes time to get off the ground, if at all, which will not fill Goodison Park with a lot of confidence if they have a tough start to the campaign.
Perhaps a reset is needed for De Ketelaere, and the Belgian will certainly be looking to perform well if he wants a spot in Belgium’s Euro 2024 spot (should they qualify).
The potential is certainly there for De Ketelaere. He was called “one of Europe’s brightest talents” [The Athletic] this time last year and praised for his versatility along the front line.
Could Sean Dyche be the man to reignite the promising youngster?
In other Everton news, the Toffees have set their price limit on Championship star striker.