Atalanta Sets €50 Million Price Tag on De Ketelaere as Bayern and PSG Show Interest

Atalanta is weighing the option to sell Charles De Ketelaere after his impressive displays at the 2026 World Cup. The Belgian midfielder caught the attention of major clubs like Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, prompting the Serie A side to set a hefty price of €50 million (£43m/$57m) for their prized asset.

The 2026 World Cup saw De Ketelaere shine with three goals, including a brace against the United States and the decisive goal against Spain, the tournament winners. With negotiations stalling over Ederson’s potential transfer to Manchester United, Atalanta now views De Ketelaere as their key asset to boost transfer revenue.

Interest from European Powerhouses Grows

The pursuit of De Ketelaere has intensified due to his adaptable playing style and consistent performances. Bayern Munich reportedly submitted an official inquiry, while several Premier League teams are preparing bids. Meanwhile, PSG sees him as a viable alternative to Maghnes Akliouche, with coach Luis Enrique valuing his ability to operate effectively as a right winger, false nine, or attacking midfielder.

Sarri's Tactical Experiments Featuring De Ketelaere

New Atalanta manager Maurizio Sarri has been experimenting with formations this preseason, toggling between a 4-2-3-1 and his favored 4-3-3. De Ketelaere’s versatility plays a central role in these tactical tests. Sarri imagines using him either as a goal-scoring winger who cuts inside or as a secondary striker supporting the main forward.

Preseason Choices Will Shape Atalanta’s Future

As Atalanta prepares for the 2026-27 Serie A season opener against Sassuolo on August 23, they continue fine-tuning their squad during preseason. The club aims to settle De Ketelaere’s transfer status before focusing entirely on competition. With international players returning from their World Cup breaks, the coming weeks will be crucial for shaping the team’s strategy and depth.