AC Milan midfielder Charles De Ketelaere is keen to remain at the San Siro this summer amid interest from Aston Villa, according to Relevo journalist Matteo Moretto.
The versatile Belgian forward has been strongly linked with a move away from Milan following a massively disappointing debut season.
The Rossoneri parted ways with €35 million to snap up De Ketelaere from Club Brugge last summer following a stellar individual campaign in Belgium, where he bagged 14 goals and seven assists in 33 league games.
However, the 22-year-old has since failed to replicate that impressive form in Italy, featuring 40 times across all competitions for Milan last term without opening his goalscoring account.
Despite his appalling form, Villa are still interested in cutting short his underwhelming association with Milan by luring him to Birmingham this summer.
Villa have already lodged an opening proposal worth €25m, but Milan are determined to recoup at least €28m from a potential departure.
While both clubs go back and forth on De Ketelaere’s valuation, Villa could yet hit another stumbling block in finalising the transfer amid reports that the player is reluctant to cut ties with Milan after just 12 months.
The former Club Brugge man is desperate to prove himself in the Rossoneri shirt, having signed a five-year contract when he moved to Italy last year.
Villa may be better off taking their money elsewhere, but it remains to be seen if they will press on with their interest in the Milan flop despite the player’s stance.
The Premier League club are looking to be active in the transfer market and are also in talks to sign French forward Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen.
Villa have already seen their opening €45m bid knocked back, but talks are still ongoing with Villa encouraged by Diaby’s willingness to move to Birmingham this summer.
