Leeds United 'joint hunt' for Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton-linked Genk star Konstantinos Karetsas
Leeds United have reportedly joined Chelsea in the hunt for Greece international Konstantinos Karetsas.
Capable of operating as an attacking midfielder or a winger, Karetsas has established himself in the senior game at a incredibly young age.
At just 18, the versatile playmaker already has 89 appearances for Belgian Pro League outfit Genk under his belt. Across those outings, he has weighed in with six goals and 23 appearances.
Having represented the country of his birth Belgium at youth level, he is now a fully-fledged Greece international with 10 caps to his name.
Konstantinos Karetsas is a senior Greece international at just 18.placeholder image
Konstantinos Karetsas is a senior Greece international at just 18. | Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Leeds United linked with Greek playmaker
According to TEAMtalk, Leeds have emerged as admirers of the teenage prodigy with the summer transfer window approaching.
They are said to have joined Chelsea in the race to secure his signature along with Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.
Liverpool and Everton have also been thrown in the mix, described as long-term admirers, and Karetsas is also said to have caught the eye of Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Marseille.
With Karetsas reportedly expected to leave Belgium this summer, there could be a tense battle to lure him from Genk.
Leeds United in the transfer market
Leeds are edging cloer to safety in the Premier League and survival will allow for ambitious investment in the transfer market.
Landing Karetsas ahead of such high-profile rivals would be quite the statement, but the finances would have to be considered.
Leeds United are among the clubs said to be keen on Konstantinos Karetsas.placeholder image
Leeds United are among the clubs said to be keen on Konstantinos Karetsas. | Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Although the Whites would have money to spend, they will be keen to avoid going over the top in a bidding war for one particular player.
Last summer, the club’s transfer budget was spread across a range of players and a fair few bargains were secured.
Marauding left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson, for example, is only thought to have cost Leeds a relatively modest £10m.