Arsenal Poised to Secure Record-Breaking Deal for Greek Prodigy Konstantinos Karetsas

Arsenal is reportedly on the verge of securing a significant transfer for Konstantinos Karetsas, the 17-year-old Greek midfield prodigy from Genk. The deal, valued at approximately £38 million, is expected to include a loan-back agreement for Karetsas to remain at Genk for the 2025-26 season before joining the Gunners.

Arsenal Nears Landmark Karetsas Deal

Arsenal is reportedly very close to finalizing a deal for Konstantinos Karetsas, a highly-touted 17-year-old midfielder from Genk. Reports from Greece indicate that talks between Arsenal and Genk are in advanced stages, with an agreement for an overall package of £38 million on the table. This transfer would mark a record for a Greek player, surpassing Kostas Manolas's £30 million move to Napoli in 2019.

Key Takeaways

Record-Breaking Transfer: The £38 million deal for Karetsas would be the most expensive transfer for a Greek player in history.
Loan-Back Agreement: Arsenal plans to loan Karetsas back to Genk for the 2025-26 season to aid his development.
High Demand: Karetsas has attracted interest from numerous European giants, including Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Juventus.
Impressive Performance: Despite his young age, Karetsas has established himself in Genk's first-team, scoring three goals and providing four assists in 39 appearances this season. He also scored his maiden senior international goal for Greece in March, becoming the youngest scorer in the nation's history.

A Rising Star's Journey

Konstantinos Karetsas, born in Belgium to Greek parents, initially represented Belgium at youth level before switching allegiance to Greece. He made his senior debut for Genk a year ago and has quickly become a standout player. His talent was further highlighted when he scored a spectacular long-range goal against Gent, earning him the Belgium Pro League Goal of the Season award. His father, Vaios, previously revealed that top clubs like RB Leipzig, AC Milan, and Manchester City had invited them for discussions, but only Ajax had serious talks outside of Genk.

Arsenal's Summer Transfer Strategy

Arsenal's pursuit of Karetsas aligns with their broader transfer strategy for the summer window. The club is also reportedly interested in Real Sociedad playmaker Martin Zubimendi and is actively seeking an elite striker, with Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko being long-term targets. The acquisition of Karetsas underscores Arsenal's commitment to investing in young, promising talent for future success under Mikel Arteta.