Leeds United news as former Whites target Charles De Ketelaere closes in on AC Milan exit
A round-up of the latest Leeds United headlines this morning
Former Leeds United target nearing AC Milan exit
Leeds United linked Charles De Ketelaere looks set to end his AC Milan nightmare with a move to fellow Italian side Atalanta, according to the latest reports. The Belgian forward had been linked with a move to Elland Road last season, but he turned the Whites down in favour of a move to the then Italian champions.
Andrea Radrizzani had spoken about his regret at not striking a deal for the former Club Brugge front man, but in 40 appearances with Milan, he failed to find the back of the net.
Romano tweeted: “Atalanta have reached an agreement in principle with AC Milan to sign Charles De Ketelaere on loan with buy option clause.
“No agreement with De Ketelaere yet; he has proposals from different countries including Spain, as per @MatteMoretto. Decision to be made soon”
From Bielsa’s prediction to Farke faith – Archie Gray primed to continue legacy of Leeds United’s first family
Had circumstances been different, Archie Gray may have already made his senior Leeds United debut. At just 16 years of age, Gray was a member of Jesse Marsch’s first-team plans last summer, boarding the flight to Australia with the rest of Leeds’ senior faces while he waited for his GCSE results.
Such was his age, he was handed the offer of a chaperone, but his presence on the flight to Queensland was enough to underline his standing at the club. He managed to secure game time Down Under, getting stuck in and catching the eye, too, before John McGinn provided him with a warm welcome to first-team football with a crunching challenge.
While that tackle brought a conclusion to his pre-season involvement, he was included on the bench for the opening game of the season by Marsch. Unfortunately, despite Gray’s impressive early showings under Michael Skubala in the U21s, the American couldn’t find the opportunity to introduce him to competitive first-team football last season as a freak injury picked up at home eventually saw him ruled out for more than five months of the campaign.
Leeds United writing on the wall for Bate and Perkins among five players yet to tie up Farke’s squad
Unwanted departures at Leeds United are still highly possible, and quite likely, before this transfer window closes. Vultures are only going to circle with more desperation as campaigns start and they start to panic.
Crysencio Summerville, Illan Meslier, Jack Harrison, Junior Firpo, Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams and Wilfried Gnonto have all been touted as possible departees this summer. However, Daniel Farke looks keen to retain them all and use them in his squad next season, if he can.
External interest will test United’s resolve or expose who does and does not have relegation release clauses. Elsewhere, there are still some players at Thorp Arch seemingly yet to tie down first-team roles for next season.
Lewis Bate
Got 45 minutes from the bench in Oslo during the Manchester United loss, but has not played another second since. The 20-year-old was an unused substitute against Monaco and Nottingham Forest before failing to even make the squad at Heart of Midlothian.
Robin Koch says Eintracht Frankfurt facilities are a ‘notch above’ after Leeds United exit
Robin Koch believes Eintracht Frankfurt’s facilities are a ‘notch above’ those he experienced in England.
Koch left Leeds United this summer after three seasons in West Yorkshire, joining the 2022 Europa League champions on a season-long loan deal.
Following Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League, Koch has swapped the Championship for the Bundesliga and Europa Conference League football, with his ambitions of breaking into Germany’s EURO 2024 squad, which is being held in his homeland, a big reason behind his decision to leave Elland Road.
Now Koch has been speaking about his new club and the conversations he held with Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche about making the move.
