Watch out Atalanta: De Ketelaere, poised to make the step up

Friday 25 September 2026, ahead of the Nations League match between Belgium and Italy, the young Belgian striker Charles De Ketelaere, 25, spoke to the portal La Dernière Heure revealing his desire to make a step up and to consider offers from big European clubs.

De Ketelaere said he does not want to put pressure on Atalanta by saying ‘I have to leave’, but that the right conditions are essential for a possible transfer. He added: “This summer there have been inquiries, also last year.” He also confirmed the existence of contacts with Paris Saint‑Germain.

Role and prospects on the field

Under the guidance of Maurizio Sarri, the Belgian has been deployed mainly as a right winger, a role which, according to him, does not suit him. “The team’s interests come first, even if I don’t think I perform best when I stay glued to the sideline,” he commented. He prefers to play centrally, where he feels more effective.

The youngster expressed joy about the period spent in Bergamo, stating that “during that year at Milan I realized how much I love playing.” He emphasized that the happiness of playing is fundamental for his performances. His career started at Club Brugge before arriving in Italy.

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In the last ten years Atalanta has rarely experienced such prolonged pauses, according to Sarri’s analysis. The coach also snubbed Juventus, stating “I don’t have many memories of that period.” The internal atmosphere therefore seems more tense.

Media coverage and context

The Nations League Football Highlights Live service, with Video and Photo, also covered Tennis, Drive, MotoGp and Formula, as well as Pressing on Sportmediaset and XXL. The related News include Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana and Podcasts dedicated to Lifestyle, with references to Championships, Area, Help, FAQ, Info, Cookie and Policy. This extensive coverage highlights the interest in the story.

The interview took place on the eve of the Belgium versus Italy match, coached by Roberto Mancini. De Ketelaere reiterated his ambition to “make a step up” sooner or later, even though he is still 25 years old. He concluded by stating that opportunities will come in the future.

Italy stumbles under Mancini against Van Bommel's new Belgium

In conclusion, the player hinted that the team’s interests are paramount and that he does not want to cause problems, keeping the door open to possible offers. His stance could influence Atalanta’s market decisions in the next window.