Liverpool is reportedly preparing a €60 million bid for Atalanta playmaker Charles De Ketelaere, who has excelled this season with six goals and nine assists. The 23-year-old, attracting interest from Arsenal as well, is seen as a potential key addition to strengthen Liverpool…

Manager ‘convinced’ Liverpool will swoop for his star player amid talk of £50m bid
Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini is seriously concerned Liverpool or Real Madrid will try to sign Charles De Ketelaere

in the near future, it has been claimed.

Gasperini has worked wonders for Atalanta since taking charge of the club in July 2016. He has helped them to become regular challengers for the top four in Serie A, and their project culminated in an historic Europa League triumph last season.

De Ketelaere is among a host of players Gasperini has helped to improve. The attacking midfielder flopped at AC Milan, failing to register a single goal in 40 appearances, but he is now thriving at Atalanta.

The Belgium international has established himself as a key player in Bergamo, having notched 10 goals and nine assists in 24 games this term. That includes a brace during Atalanta’s 3-2 victory over Empoli on Sunday, with Gasperini’s side top of the table after 17 games.

However, Gasperini and Atalanta have become accustomed to selling their best players when richer clubs come calling, with prime examples being Rasmus Hojlund, Teun Koopmeiners and Cristian Romero.
According to La Repubblica, Gasperini is ‘convinced’ Liverpool and Madrid will submit offers for De Ketelaere at some stage over the next two years.

Should De Ketelaere’s dazzling form continue, then Gasperini expects other major sides from England and Spain to get involved in the transfer chase, too.

De Ketelaere edging closer to major move

While it will be a big blow for Atalanta to see the 23-year-old forward leave, they will almost certainly make a profit on his sale.

De Ketelaere – who can also play as a centre-forward or right winger – moved to Atalanta on an initial loan which subsequently became permanent for €22million.