The deal closed’ for €30m Aston Villa transfer target

Aston Villa is set to miss out on reported target Charles De Ketelaere this summer, with an agreement said to have been reached between AC Milan and Atalanta over the player.

Villa had been credited with an interest in the Belgian this summer, with reports even claiming that they had seen a €25million bid turned down by AC Milan. The Italian giants were said to be looking for a price closer to €30m for the player.

De Ketelaere joined AC Milan last summer after catching the eye with his performances in Belgium for Club Brugge. He has, however, struggled since completing his move to Italy.

The forward made a total of 32 appearances in Serie A last season, failing to get on the scoresheet and providing just one assist. He was mainly used from the bench in the second half of the season.

Marseille was another club to be linked with an interest, but it now seems that a stay in Italy could be on the cards for the 22-year-old. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Atlanta has reached an “agreement in principle” with AC Milan to sign De Ketelaere on loan with an option to buy. It is however said that no agreement has been reached with the player yet.

The agreement is also reported by Calcio Marcato journalist Daniele Longo, who says that the deal is “closed” between the two clubs. The agreement will reportedly see Atalanta pay a loan fee of €5-6m plus all of the player’s wages, although the clubs are still waiting for confirmation from De Ketelaere himself.

Villa has already completed the signing of one Belgian this summer, with Youri Tielemans arriving on a free transfer. The club has also added defender Pau Torres and winger Moussa Diaby to their squad ahead of a campaign that includes European football.