The Gunners, looking at the future with a long-term vision under manager Mikel Arteta and director Edu, are speeding up their activity in the transfer market. The North Londoners are in talks to sign a 17-year-old Greek wonderkid from Belgian side Genk. The 17-year-old Greek attacking midfielder is Konstantinos Karetsas. The deal is expected to be around a fee of €45 million. That would make him the most costly signing after Jude Bellingham’s move to Borussia Dortmund. It would make this potential move to the Gunners the most expensive as a 17-year-old in football history. The Gunner’s attention to emerging young talents around the world is a very planned move as they look to make their squad stronger for the next seasons to come until the next decade. Born in Belgium he made his switch to the Greece national men’s team.
🚨 MAJOR BREAKING!
Arsenal are close to an agreement of €45m with Genk for Konstantinos Karetsas. 🇬🇷
The 17-year old would stay a year in Belgium before joining Arsenal in 2026. 🎞️
Information from @amna_news. ✨ pic.twitter.com/PRZvIoiJD8
— Polymarket FC (@PolymarketFC) June 5, 2025
A rising wonderkid:
His parents are originally from Greece living in Genk. As one of the most shining young talents in the world of football. The youth academy of Genk is well known for producing Belgium talents like Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, and Tielemans. He has also followed in that footsteps with his unique skills. That has put a lot of fans and experts with excitement. In this season only of 2024- 25 Karetsas has made 39 appearances across all competitions. He has scored a total of 3 goals and 4 assists. Playing a big part in the Belgian domestic league. Also the youngest goal scorer for the Greek national team.
Arsenal plan for the wonderkid:
The Gunners are ready to secure the youngster this summer. But the Gunners are not in a hurry to make him ready for the first-team games. After his signing, the Gunners want to loan him back to Genk for the next season. Which would help him to develop more in a normal environment. While getting a chance for first-team football under Genk and also under the Gunner’s vision. This plan has gained for the Gunners in times as players like Saliba with experience with other teams. He has set himself in the main team for the Gunners with the team becoming one of the main players. Karetsas is also to follow a similar road for his growth.
Competition for the wonderkid:
Many top clubs in Europe have shown their interest in Karetsas. In Europe clubs like Manchester City, AC Milan and RB Leipzig. But the Gunners are currently leading the race to secure him due to their well-directed plans for him. With positive talks with both the player and the player’s family about the plans for the player’s road in the future. This shows how the Gunner’s are leading the race to sign him as the end of the summer window approaches.
Author’s opinion:
The Gunners in the recent season have shown they can take in raw talents and make them superstars for the future. Given the likes of Saka, Martinelli, and Nwaneri coming in their ranks. The Gunners race to secure Konstantinos Karetsas is a big move. With such a reported big price tag at just the age of 17 from Genk. The decision to loan him back for development shows maturity and patience from the Gunners. The perfect plan for development for the player along with the perfect financial conditions from both the sides will make the deal possible in the future.
📰 Premier League giants Arsenal are in talks to sign Greek wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas for a reported fee that could rise to €45 million.
The gunners are aiming to complete the transfer this summer & allow Karetsas to stay on loan at Genk for the 2025/26 season 🇬🇷🔜🏴❓️… pic.twitter.com/fgTRazfQWL
— Hellas Football (@HellasFooty) June 5, 2025
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