Young Belgian international may be Leicester’s first summer transfer signing

Leicester City are in pole position to sign young Belgian playmaker and forward Charles De Ketelaere. Here is all you need to know about the player.

The King Power side watch Belgians and the Belgian Juliper Pro League very closely for transfer gems. From Starman Youri Tielemans to international teammate Timothy Castagne and the legendary signing of Wilfred Ndidi, it is not uncommon for the Foxes to hunt Belgians and those playing in the Belgian league.

Next up on that list could possibly be Charles De Ketelaere. According to SportsWitness, the attacking-midfielder/centre-forward is top of Brendan Rodgers’ list to refresh the side after an unimpressive Premier League season.

Leicester City must pounce

Be under no illusion, the 20-year-old player is unlikely to come cheap for the East Midlands outfit. Rated around £24m by Transfermarkt, the youngster is likely to cost a great deal more than that when the time comes around – unless there is a transfer coup.

Ketelaere’s form is what is attracting so much attention to the Belgian. Across 37 total games in all competitions, the player has scored 15 and assisted nine goals. That is a great return for Club Brugge.

However, the forward has been spending much of his time upfront as a striker for the side. Now, by technical ability and his traditional position, he should be an attacking midfielder and a very good one of that. During this season though, his clinical pace and incisive play has led him further up the pitch.

According to SmarterScout, the player’s best attributes are his progressive passing and his link-up with his teammates. That is crucial for an attacking midfielder and for a more complete striker. What is interesting is that Ketelaere does not blindly shoot constantly, unselfishly passing when a better opportunity falls to another player.

Such is why Leicester City are interested in the Belgian. Either as competition for James Maddison, a replacement for a striker, or a younger and higher potential Ayoze Perez, the King Power club will surely see him as a key target.

When a player like him is in such form, the eyes of European giants fall upon them. Hence, Leicester must pounce and try to sign this gem of a versatile attacking player before rivals beat them to the finish line.