Belgian transfer journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported that Bayern Munich have shown concrete interest in De Ketelaere and are pushing to finalise a deal.
Personal terms are not expected to be a sticking point, with the 25-year-old already indicating he would welcome the move. Atalanta and Bayern have yet to hold formal talks but those discussions are scheduled to take place shortly.
De Ketelaere joined Atalanta from AC Milan on a €3million loan in August 2023 after a difficult debut season at the San Siro following his €37.5million move from Club Brugge. He responded with one of the finest individual seasons in Serie A history — 13 goals and 12 assists in 50 appearances in 2024/25, earning a permanent deal from Atalanta worth around €24million.
This season has been more moderate: five goals and seven assists across 39 appearances, including the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Bayern in Munich in March.
Atalanta are prepared to listen but will not be rushed. The club view €55-60million as a starting point and would only consider a firm sale above €70million — a significant premium on what they paid, and a reflection of how highly they rate a player still under contract until June 2028.
De Ketelaere has scored five goals and made three assists in 28 appearances for the Belgian national team. His profile — tall, technically gifted, capable of operating across the attacking line — suits the role Bayern are seeking to fill behind Harry Kane, Luis Díaz and Michael Olise.
Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has shown throughout his career that he can replace seemingly irreplaceable players. But losing De Ketelaere — the engine of their attacking play in back-to-back European campaigns — would test even his powers of reconstruction.