Charles De Ketelaere will not return to Milan in the summer transfer window, as Atalanta will claim him next season as well.
The Belgian national team player joined Atalanta on loan last summer after a disappointing first season in Milan. In Bergamo, he managed to regain his previous form and found himself again. In addition, the Italian club has a purchase option to purchase De Ketelaere permanently.
Atalanta’s management has made the decision about De Ketelaere’s fate. The team from Bergamo reached the final of the Europa League on Thursday by defeating Olympique Marseille, and after the match, the president of the club, Antonio Percassi, confirmed that they will permanently buy De Ketelaere’s playing rights from Milan.
The 23-year-old footballer has played in 44 games in Atalanta so far, and in more than 2,500 playing minutes, he directly took part in a total of 20 goals, including 11 goals and 9 assists. In recent months, it was likely that the people of Bergamo would claim him, and now it is certain that he will stay at Atalanta.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the purchase option in De Ketelaere’s contract is 23 million euros. Thus, the club will receive a significant amount from the sale of the Belgian attacker, and the agreement also includes a bonus of 4 million euros. Furthermore, the contract includes a 10 percent resale share in favor of Milan in the event of the player changing clubs in the future. Including the loan fee, purchase option and bonuses, Charles’ total transfer price reaches €30 million.
