Football 29w1y

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Sushan Chakraborty
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Sushan Chakraborty Sports Editor

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Published11 hours ago on June 06, 2025

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Premier League giants Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a move for one of the most highly rated teenagers in the world, Konstantinos Karetsas.

After overseeing yet another trophyless campaign, manager Mikel Arteta is looking to bolster the Gunners’ squad ahead of the 2025/26 season. Karetsas, who came through Genk’s academy just like Premier League greats Kevin de Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois, is reportedly high on Arsenal’s wish list.

Arsenal Ready to Pay £37.8m for Konstantinos Karetsas 104v66

According to Greek outlet AMNA, Arsenal are very close to reaching an agreement with Belgian side Genk for the transfer of Konstantinos Karetsas. The north London side are prepared to pay a handsome £37.8 million (€45 million) fee to prize the 17-year-old playmaker away from Genk.

Arsenal are likely to loan Karetsas back to Genk for one more year before drafting him into the team next summer.

If the deal goes through, Karetsas will become the most expensive 17-year-old in the history of football. He will sur England superstar Jude Bellingham, who ed Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham for £30 million in 2020.

Karetsas could be Arsenal’s second summer g, as they have already scheduled a medical for Martin Zubimendi.

Konstantinos Karetsas Football Career History syc

Karetsas was born in Genk on November 19, 2007. He began his career at local club Racing Genk before sealing a move to Belgian heavyweights Anderlecht at the age of 13. Given his potential, most expected Anderlecht to tie him down to a long-term deal. The Brussels club, however, decided against it.

In January 2023, at the age of 15, he returned to Genk. Later in September, he made his professional debut for Genk. At 15 years and 10 months, he became the youngest debutant in the history of Belgian professional football. In January 2024, the Greek international officially ed the first team of KRC Genk. He made his international debut on March 20, 2025.

Konstantinos Karetsas Position 5e6063

Konstantinos Karetsas, who has become one of the most exciting talents in the Jupiler Pro League, is a pure-blood playmaker. He traditionally operates as a No. 10, behind the centre-forward, but his position is not set in stone. The teenager enjoys moving around, which enables him to make the most of his excellent vision and ing range.

Karetsas replaced Bilal El Khannouss at Genk, so the two are naturally compared. However, there are more differences than similarities. The Greek midfielder prioritises playmaking, whereas El Khannouss, who now plays for Leicester City, had a more enthusiastic shooting boot.

Konstantinos Karetsas Stats 5u305j

In the 2022/23 season, Konstantinos Karetsas played for KRC Genk U19 in the UEFA Youth League. He played as a defensive midfielder in two matches, clocking 98 minutes.

The following season, he represented Jong Genk in the Challenger Pro League. Primarily operating as an attacking midfielder, Karetsas scored six goals and provided five assists in twenty matches.

The same season, he played three matches for KRC Genk in JPL Champions’ Play-Offs, claiming an assist. He also featured in the Europa League playoff in 2023/24. Last season, Karetsas was an integral part of Genk’s first team. Playing 39 games across the Jupiler Pro League, Croky Cup, and Champions’ Play-Offs, he scored 3 goals and claimed 4 assists.

For Greece, Karetsas has played two times, both in the UEFA Nations League Play-Offs. After drawing a blank in the first leg 1-0 defeat to Scotland, he scored in the 3-0 victory in the second leg.

Scoring at the age of 17 years, 4 months, and 4 days, Karetsas became Greece’s youngest-ever goalscorer.

Arsenal will return to the pitch in July, as they are not among the Premier League teams playing in the Club World Cup.