Charles De Ketelaere confirms PSG talks before Ferran Torres move
Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere revealed he held summer talks with PSG, but the deal collapsed when the French champions opted for Ferran Torres.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
Belgian forward Charles De Ketelaere has shed light on his potential move to PSG during the recent summer transfer window. The 25-year-old confirmed that discussions took place with the French champions, but the deal failed to materialize once the club decided to secure Ferran Torres from Barcelona instead.
A significant factor in the collapse of the transfer was Atalanta's firm stance on a €50 million valuation for the playmaker. Addressing the interest and the financial demands, De Ketelaere stated:
I spoke with PSG, but they ultimately chose Ferran Torres. Yes, I think there was talk of a figure close to that. But you need to find a team willing to pay it. In the Premier League there are several clubs that can do it, but in the end nothing materialised. Charles De Ketelaere
Despite the move falling through, the Belgian is focused on maintaining his development through consistent playing time in Serie A. He noted that after his challenging period at AC Milan, starting games regularly is his main priority. While he harbors long-term ambitions to compete for major trophies, he feels that at 25, he still has plenty of time ahead of him.
De Ketelaere is currently facing pressure to improve his form as Maurizio Sarri's side has managed only six points from five league matches. The upcoming fixture against Venezia after the international break will be a vital opportunity for the team to regain momentum and for the forward to contribute more in the final third.