Charles De Ketelaere confirms he spoke with PSG before the club chose Ferran Torres. The Belgian also says Atalanta's €50 million price tag made a transfer difficult.
During the summer transfer window, PSG was particularly active, especially in strengthening its attacking options. Several players left, including Bradley Barcola, Gonçalo Ramos, and Lee Kang-In.
To replace them, PSG brought in Maghnes Akliouche, Mika Godts, and Ferran Torres. The Spanish international has made an impressive start at PSG. Yet Luis Campos and Luis Enrique still considered recruiting another attacking player.
Charles De Ketelaere Confirms Contact With PSG
Indeed, Charles De Ketelaere's name was linked with PSG during the summer transfer window. The Belgian international confirms he came close to leaving this summer.
"There were interested teams, but when you see the transfer fees in the current market, it's not always easy to leave. I know Atalanta were asking for a lot," he confided in an interview with La Dernière Heure before revealing that Atalanta had been too greedy: "Yes, I think it was around that amount (€50 million). But you have to find a team willing to pay that."
At that price, few clubs could consider a transfer, but PSG certainly tried. "In the Premier League, several teams could do it, but it didn't happen. I spoke with PSG, but they ultimately chose Ferran Torres. I'm happy at Atalanta. I know how important it is to be a regular starter since my time at AC Milan. I'd like to compete for titles one day. I have that ambition, but I'm 25, and I still have time," De Ketelaere confirmed.
And although he stayed at Atalanta, Ketelaere nevertheless confirms that he was ready for a transfer: “ Yes, but I’m also a realistic person. Last year, a team was also interested, but it didn’t materialize either. I’m not someone who’s going to force my departure or bother management to let me leave. I have respect for Atalanta."
In fact, it was precisely to play as a number 9 that De Ketelaere was being tracked by PSG. The Belgian international confirms that Mark Van Bommel, the new Belgian national team coach, wants him in that position.
“We talked, and he sees me as a center-forward. I think I did well in that position under the previous coach. I scored seven goals under him, which isn't bad. I come here feeling like a center-forward. If I'm put on the bench, I'm not the guy who causes problems. I grew into that role during the tournament. If you ask me what my position is in football, I'll say center-forward. Nobody can forget all the goals Romelu (Lukaku) has already scored for the national team.”
