Charles De Ketelaere’s summer did not lead him to Paris, despite talks with Paris Saint-Germain, and the Belgian forward will remain in Bergamo after Atalanta’s valuation proved difficult for interested clubs to meet.
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De Ketelaere, 25, said PSG explored the possibility of signing him during the transfer window before choosing Spain international Ferran Torres, who had been playing for Barcelona.
“I spoke with PSG, but they eventually went for Ferran Torres,” De Ketelaere said.
Atalanta were believed to be seeking close to €50 million for the Belgium international. De Ketelaere did not dispute that figure, while stressing that a deal depended on finding a club prepared to meet it.
“It was probably around that amount,” he said. “But a club has to be willing to pay it. There are several teams in the Premier League that could do so, yet nothing came together.”
The forward is set to stay with Atalanta for the season and said he is comfortable with his role in Bergamo. His difficult 2022-23 campaign at AC Milan, he explained, made him particularly aware of the importance of regular starts.
“I am happy at Atalanta,” he said. “After what happened at Milan, I know how important it is to start matches. One day I want to compete for trophies. That ambition is there, but I am 25 and still have time.”
Belgium look beyond World Cup quarter-final
De Ketelaere also reflected on Belgium’s World Cup run, after new national-team coach Mark van Bommel told the squad at his first gathering that the Red Devils could have won the tournament.
Belgium, coached by Rudi Garcia during the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, topped their group after drawing 1-1 with Egypt and 0-0 with Iran, before beating New Zealand 5-1.
They then overcame Senegal 3-2 after extra time in the round of 32 and defeated the United States 4-1 in the last 16. Their campaign ended in the quarter-finals, where Spain won 2-1 through Mikel Merino’s 88th-minute goal.
De Ketelaere had cancelled out Fabián Ruiz’s opener in that match, becoming the only opposing player to score against Spain throughout the tournament. Spain subsequently beat France 2-0 in the semi-finals and Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final.
“We could have won it, yes,” De Ketelaere said of Van Bommel’s assessment. “I understand his point. The margins are very small in modern football. Against Spain, we could have taken it into extra time, and then anything can happen. But we would still have had to win two more matches.”
He believes the new coach’s message underlines Belgium’s standards for the next major international competitions.
“We will not be favourites against every opponent, but we can challenge anyone,” De Ketelaere said. “With the quality we have, we must aim to go far.”
