Next Kevin De Bruyne to Man Utd! – Sir Jim Ratcliffe urged to make transfer happen for Top Serie A playmaker amid strong Man city links

Next Kevin De Bruyne to Man Utd! – Sir Jim Ratcliffe urged to make transfer happen for Top Serie A playmaker amid strong Man city links

Manchester City could face competition from Manchester United for Atalanta star Charles de Ketelaere.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder is considered to be one of the best players in his position in Europe and has been on Man City’s radar for two years.

Sources state that Man City have an ‘extensive file’ on the Belgian international and have shortlisted him as a potential option to replace Kevin De Bruyne.

Atalanta view De Ketelaere as a key player. They signed him permanently last summer after an initial loan from AC Milan. Despite rival interest from the Premier League, he chose to stay at Atalanta.

TEAMtalk understands that this summer could be different, however, as his performances in the Serie A and Champions League have drawn more attention.

Scouts from Man City have been in attendance to watch his impressive performances, but sources say that Man Utd are also keeping close tabs on his situation.

De Ketelaere, who has played eight times alongside De Bruyne for Belgium, has notched 11 goals and 11 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions this season.

Man City ramp up De Bruyne replacement hunt
We understand that ‘multiple’ other Premier League sides are tracking De Ketelaere, as well as Man City and Man Utd, but they are yet to be named by sources as the interest is at its early stages.

The youngster’s asking price is not expected to be too extravagant but AC Milan do have a 10% sell on clause which may drive up the value of any deal.

Man City anticipate a big summer window as Pep Guardiola looks to rebuild his squad with fresh faces all over the pitch.

They brought in talented forward Omar Marmoush in January, who bagged his first hattrick at the weekend, and also signed three young centre-backs in Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Juma Bah, along with talented midfielder Nico Gonzalez.

Man City outspent any other European club in January and believe they will be very active again in the summer despite the 130 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s PSR (Profitability and Sustainability) rules hanging over them.

De Bruyne, 33, is out of contract at the end of the season and is unlikely to sign an extension, meaning he’ll be allowed to leave on a free transfer