Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 3:59 PM• Rian Rosendaal • Last update: 16:17

PSV switches quickly after the departure of Xavi Simons to Paris Saint-Germain. Rick Elfrink of the Eindhovens Dagblad assures on the basis of various sources that Charles De Ketelaere is the most important candidate to succeed the departed midfielder in the Philips Stadium. The club watcher reported on Friday that PSV recently inquired about the 22-year-old attacking midfielder of AC Milan. According to Elfrink, a purchase deal seems unfeasible for PSV in any case.

Elfrink wrote on Friday that De Ketelaere is ‘one of the many options this transfer summer that is in the picture at PSV’. The club of coach Peter Bosz was not yet concrete for the Belgian midfielder, which now seems to be the case due to Simons’ return to PSG. PSV will probably have to pay a considerable amount for a final transfer, since the Italians transferred no less than 35.5 million euros to Club Brugge for De Ketelaere last year. As a result, technical director Earnest Stewart is exploring other options for doing business in Milan. The player in question is reportedly open to continuing his career at PSV.

De Ketelaere was brought in with great expectations by Milan a year ago, but was unable to meet them last season. The nine-time youth international came to forty appearances, but was unable to find the net once. He did, however, act as a declarant once. De Ketelaere reached the semi-finals of the Champions League with Milan, in which Internazionale turned out to be too strong. Due to fourth place in Serie A, he will be back in the billion dollar ball next season with the Milan superpower.

Simons
PSV announced on Sunday morning that Simons will return to PSG for six million euros and immediately. Fabrizio Romano reported shortly afterwards that RB Leipzig has the best papers to take over the attacking midfielder on a rental basis. The transfer market expert emphasizes that it is only for a season and that PSG absolutely does not want to include a purchase option in the rental deal with the German Champions League participant. A final decision will be made on Tuesday about Simons, who will sign a four-year contract in Paris.