Atalanta likely already anticipated keeping Charles De Ketelaere permanently while arranging the deal with Milan last summer, but the performances of the Belgian, especially in 2024, made it a no-brainer. La Dea will surely activate their option to buy in June, Relevo’s Matteo Moretto informs (via OneFootball).
The Bergamaschi paid €3M for the loan. They’ll add €23M to retain him and €2M potential add-ons. The Rossoneri will be entitled to 10 percent of the profit if he’s sold in the future. The attacker will get a minor pay bump, going from €2.7M to €3M yearly. The contract talks delayed his arrival last summer.
De Ketelaere has stepped up when Atalanta needed it the most since Ademola Lookman missed several matches due to AFCON. In the top five European leagues, he’s the second youngster player to have scored six times and provided six assists this season, trailing only Bukayo Saka, Opta relays.
Milan had paid €36.5M to sign him from Club Brugge, but he had just a helper in 40 showings in the past campaign.
Our Take on De Ketelaere and Atalanta
His recent performances prove how much better self-confidence and being in top physical shape can lift a player. While the Rossoneri struggled to find the right role for him, he hasn’t skipped a beat whether starring as a false-nine, no.10, or on either flank. While the technique was always there, the speed and muscularity he has shown lately are stunning relative to his San Siro days.
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