Latest news with #Karetsas
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Who is Konstantinos Karetsas? Arsenal in talks to sign £38m 'Greek Messi' who snubbed rival
Reports suggest that Arsenal are close completing the signing of Konstantinos Karetsas for a cool £38million and the Gunners would be getting one of Europe's most coveted wonderkids It's not every day you sign a player compared to Lionel Messi but Arsenal could be about to do just that. Konstantinos Karetsas, who's just 17, is reportedly the subject of transfer talks between the Gunners and Belgian giants Genk, his hometown club. So, why is he called the 'Greek Messi'? Let's deal with the first part, as Arsenal close in on a £38million agreement. Karetsas was born in the city of Genk and represented Belgium at international level up until the under-21s. But Greek football chiefs had their eyes on him, as both of his parents are from the north of the country and he'd shown a willingness to switch allegiances. Ahead of their Nations League play-off against Scotland in March, FIFA approved the change and Karetsas won his first cap, admitting that he'd 'always have had Greece in the back of his mind' if he'd have chosen Belgium. His second appearance was one to remember, scoring Greece's second goal in a 3-0 drubbing at Hampden Park to earn promotion to League A. Karetsas bagged a goal on his first appearance for Genk after the international break and remained a regular starter until the end of the campaign, as their title charge fell away. Primarily an attacking midfielder, the diminutive playmaker has drawn lofty comparisons to Messi thanks to his fleet-footed dribbling and creative qualities. Like the Barcelona legend, Karetsas enjoys cutting in from the right-hand side and using his left foot to dazzle defenders. The 17-year-old grew up watching clips of fellow Barca icons Ronaldinho and Neymar which influenced his playing style. At 5ft 7in, his low centre of gravity allows him to stay balanced when slaloming through the opposition. Karetsas scored three goals and supplied three assists in his first full season for Genk, who he rejoined in 2023 after a three-year spell with Anderlecht. Now the 2007-born prodigy is set to leave Genk for a second time, although he could've left two years ago when Manchester City, AC Milan and RB Leipzig all invited him to tour their facilities. His dad, Vaios, told Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws: "We thought it was too early for a move abroad. RB Leipzig, Milan and even Manchester City invited us several times to come and have a look. We didn't like it. Should Arsenal pay £38m for Konstantinos Karetsas? Have your say in the comments section. "The only team outside Genk where we had discussions was Ajax. Purely because it is close by and we have a lot of respect for that club. That was just one conversation. The second would be about sporting and financial matters, but we had already given our word to Genk at that time." Karetsas has been patient and stayed closer to home, but don't doubt his ambition. "I aim for the very top," he declared in an interview with DAZN earlier this year. Arsenal will hope to guide him there. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Arsenal in talks for teenage talent with Fabregas comparisons
Arsenal Pursue Karetsas Deal as Focus Turns to Future-proofing Midfield Genk starlet emerges as major summer target In a move that blends audacity with foresight, Arsenal are reportedly in advanced talks to sign 17-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas from Genk, in a deal that could be worth up to €45 million. The Athenian-Macedonian news agency reports that the Gunners aim to finalise a deal this summer but allow the Greek teenager to stay on loan at Genk for the 2025/26 season. Photo IMAGO It is a strategy that speaks to Arsenal's wider recalibration: youth, sustainability, and calculated aggression in the market. A generation ago, this might have looked like a gamble. Now, it is Arsenal's default setting. Karetsas drawing continental attention The midfielder's stock has surged rapidly, driven by composed displays in the Jupiler Pro League and a standout performance in Greece's 3-0 win over Scotland earlier this year. Comparisons to a young Cesc Fabregas are not handed out lightly, but they reflect Karetsas' control, vision and game intelligence. Photo IMAGO Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta is central to the negotiations, with his relationship with Karetsas' agent, who also facilitated Albert Sambi Lokonga's transfer, smoothing the process. Historic price tag expected Should the reported deal be completed, Karetsas would become the most expensive Greek player in history, eclipsing the €36 million Napoli paid for Kostas Manolas in 2019. Arsenal are keen to seal the transfer early to ward off interest from Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG, all of whom are monitoring the player. Photo IMAGO The plan is not to fast-track Karetsas to the Emirates but to let him mature in Belgium. First-team football, week in and week out, is deemed crucial before unleashing his potential in North London by 2026. Long-term vision meets short-term needs While the pursuit of Karetsas represents Arsenal's eye for tomorrow, they are also navigating the present. Talks are ongoing with RB Leipzig over striker Benjamin Sesko, who netted 21 goals last season. Sporting director Berta is also in dialogue with Thomas Partey about a potential one-year contract extension, though Barcelona and Saudi clubs remain interested. Advertisement In this moment, Arsenal are plotting parallel paths: building a title-contending squad for now, and constructing the foundation for the future. Our View – EPL Index Analysis Konstantinos Karetsas may not be a household name yet, but neither was Fabregas at 17, and the comparison isn't just flattery. His calmness in midfield, ability to read the game and dictate tempo already sets him apart from many seasoned pros. What's even more encouraging for the supporters is that the club are not rushing this. Letting him develop at Genk shows trust in the process and a clear long-term vision. Arsenal are no longer scrambling for short-term fixes. They're identifying elite potential early, something the best-run clubs have done for years. Advertisement And it's not happening in isolation. With Sesko negotiations ongoing and Partey's situation being managed with care, there's a sense of joined-up thinking behind the scenes. Berta's influence is already being felt — smart, strategic, and forward-thinking. If Karetsas does arrive, he won't just be the most expensive Greek footballer ever. He could very well be a cornerstone of Arsenal's next great side. The future looks not just bright — it looks planned.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Arsenal in talks for teenage talent with Fabregas comparisons
Arsenal Pursue Karetsas Deal as Focus Turns to Future-proofing Midfield Genk starlet emerges as major summer target In a move that blends audacity with foresight, Arsenal are reportedly in advanced talks to sign 17-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas from Genk, in a deal that could be worth up to €45 million. The Athenian-Macedonian news agency reports that the Gunners aim to finalise a deal this summer but allow the Greek teenager to stay on loan at Genk for the 2025/26 season. Photo IMAGO It is a strategy that speaks to Arsenal's wider recalibration: youth, sustainability, and calculated aggression in the market. A generation ago, this might have looked like a gamble. Now, it is Arsenal's default setting. Karetsas drawing continental attention The midfielder's stock has surged rapidly, driven by composed displays in the Jupiler Pro League and a standout performance in Greece's 3-0 win over Scotland earlier this year. Comparisons to a young Cesc Fabregas are not handed out lightly, but they reflect Karetsas' control, vision and game intelligence. Photo IMAGO Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta is central to the negotiations, with his relationship with Karetsas' agent, who also facilitated Albert Sambi Lokonga's transfer, smoothing the process. Historic price tag expected Should the reported deal be completed, Karetsas would become the most expensive Greek player in history, eclipsing the €36 million Napoli paid for Kostas Manolas in 2019. Arsenal are keen to seal the transfer early to ward off interest from Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG, all of whom are monitoring the player. Photo IMAGO The plan is not to fast-track Karetsas to the Emirates but to let him mature in Belgium. First-team football, week in and week out, is deemed crucial before unleashing his potential in North London by 2026. Long-term vision meets short-term needs While the pursuit of Karetsas represents Arsenal's eye for tomorrow, they are also navigating the present. Talks are ongoing with RB Leipzig over striker Benjamin Sesko, who netted 21 goals last season. Sporting director Berta is also in dialogue with Thomas Partey about a potential one-year contract extension, though Barcelona and Saudi clubs remain interested. Advertisement In this moment, Arsenal are plotting parallel paths: building a title-contending squad for now, and constructing the foundation for the future. Our View – EPL Index Analysis Konstantinos Karetsas may not be a household name yet, but neither was Fabregas at 17, and the comparison isn't just flattery. His calmness in midfield, ability to read the game and dictate tempo already sets him apart from many seasoned pros. What's even more encouraging for the supporters is that the club are not rushing this. Letting him develop at Genk shows trust in the process and a clear long-term vision. Arsenal are no longer scrambling for short-term fixes. They're identifying elite potential early, something the best-run clubs have done for years. Advertisement And it's not happening in isolation. With Sesko negotiations ongoing and Partey's situation being managed with care, there's a sense of joined-up thinking behind the scenes. Berta's influence is already being felt — smart, strategic, and forward-thinking. If Karetsas does arrive, he won't just be the most expensive Greek footballer ever. He could very well be a cornerstone of Arsenal's next great side. The future looks not just bright — it looks planned.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal 'very close' to Greek wonderkid transfer in record deal
Arsenal have opened negotiations with Genk over a deal for their midfield starlet Konstantinos Karetsas, who has already been courted by some of Europe's top clubs Arsenal are in talks with Genk over a transfer for Konstantinos Karetsas, with an agreement for the Greek midfield prodigy now 'very close', according to reports in his homeland. Karetsas, 17, has already been linked with a whole host of Europe's elite since his senior breakthrough and can count Real Madrid among his many admirers. It seems that Arsenal, though, may have stolen a march on the competition as they bid to bring Karetsas to the Premier League. According to reports in Greece, via the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, talks between Arsenal and Genk are underway. Furthermore, an agreement between the two clubs is said to be close with an overall package of £38million on the table. The deal would see Karetsas be loaned back to Genk for the 2025-26 campaign before linking up with Arsenal in the future. It would be a record for a Greek player if a deal is indeed finalised, breaking the record held by Kostas Manolas, following his move from Roma to Napoli for £30m back in 2019. Despite his tender years, Karetsas has an array of admirers, some of whom have already tried to poach him from Genk without success. That includes Manchester City, who have invited the youngster to visit them on more than one occasion. The player's father, Vaios, confirmed this in an interview with a Dutch newspaper, saying: "RB Leipzig, Milan and even Manchester City invited us several times to come and look; we didn't like it. "The only team outside Genk where we had discussions was Ajax." Karetsas has caught the eye in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League for Genk this season and also dazzled in Greece's 3-0 win over Scotland in March, where he scored his maiden senior international goal. Arsenal are expected to be active in the summer transfer window and are also pursuing a deal for the Real Sociedad playmaker, Martin Zubimendi, who is expected to finally move to the Premier League pending a medical. The Gunners also want an elite striker, although it is still unclear whether they plan to pursue a deal for Viktor Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko, both of whom are long-term targets.
Metro
5 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Arsenal 'very close' to signing Konstantinos Karetsas in £37.8m transfer
Arsenal are 'very close' to signing Genk attacking midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas in a €45 million (£37.8m) deal, according to reports in Greece. The 17-year-old has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in Europe after making his senior debut for Genk a year ago. This season, Karetsas has quickly established himself in Genk's first-team squad, scoring three goals and registering four assists in 39 appearances. The midfielder also won the Belgium Pro League Goal of the Season for his long-range strike against Gent. Karetsas was born in Belgium to Greek parents and after representing Belgium at youth level, the midfielder switched associations to Greece to make his senior debut for Greece in March. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. He then scored in a 3-0 win against Scotland in his second appearance for the national side to become the youngest scorer in Greece's history at the age of 17 years, four months and four days. Karetsas has been linked with several clubs across Europe including Bayern Munich, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Juventus. But according to Greece's news agency AMNA, Arsenal are now closing in on a deal to sign the midfielder. The report claims that Arsenal are now 'very close' to reaching an agreement with Genk over a deal worth €45m (£37.8m). The report adds that Arsenal's plan is to keep Karetsas on loan at Genk for another season for his development before bringing him into Mikel Arteta's squad next summer. Speaking earlier this season, Genk head coach, Thorsten Fink, was keen to keep Karetsas grounded after his superb strike against Gent. 'He scored a beautiful goal indeed,' Fink said. More Trending 'That is his quality, he only needs one situation to score. But there is still a lot to improve. I hope you see that too.' In November, Karetsas extended his contract with Genk which runs until 2027. 'Genk is my home. I feel a lot of trust from the club,' Karetsas said. 'This is the best environment for me to keep growing, close to my family. I want to win trophies with KRC Genk and compete in Europe.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
