Arsenal are reportedly close to finalising a move for Genk attacking midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas in a deal worth €45 million, according to Greek outlet AMNA. The 17-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past year, establishing himself as one of the most promising young players in Europe.
After breaking into Genk’s first team, Karetsas featured 39 times across all competitions last season, scoring three goals and providing three assists. His standout moment came against Gent, where his long-range strike earned him the Belgian Pro League Goal of the Season.
Born in Belgium to Greek parents, Karetsas originally represented Belgium at youth level before switching allegiance to Greece. He made his senior debut for the Greek national team in March 2025 and scored in only his second appearance, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Greece’s history at 17.
Arsenal in advanced talks for teenage talent
Due to his rapid rise, Karetsas has drawn attention from several top clubs, but Arsenal are believed to be at the front of the queue. The Gunners are understood to be at an advanced stage of negotiations and are close to agreeing a €45 million fee with Genk.
Should the deal go through, it would make Karetsas the most expensive Greek footballer of all time, surpassing the €36 million Napoli paid Roma for Kostas Manolas in 2019.
It is understood that as part of the agreement, the midfielder would remain on loan at Genk for a further year in order to continue his development before joining Arsenal in the summer of 2026.
Creative spark in the mould of Ødegaard
Stylistically, Karetsas is a left-footed number ten who thrives in the final third. Much like Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard, he is known for his vision, passing range, and ability to dictate play. His low centre of gravity allows him to glide past defenders with ease, and he has averaged 2.66 chances created per 90 minutes in league action.
The teenager’s creativity and technical quality have made him a central figure in Genk’s attack, and he is widely seen as a midfielder with immense potential.
Whether Arsenal complete the signing remains to be seen, but Just Arsenal will continue to follow developments closely and keep you updated.
Midfielder Martin Zubimendi in reported to be signing for Arsenal imminently.
What do you make of the reported transfer fee for Karetsas, Gooners?
BENJAMIN KENNETH
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I think we already have an extremely talented CM who can also play as a 10, named Nwanarei.
Not sure why we would pay 45 million when Nwanarei is free and already has PL experience. Also, Max is coming to the first team, so why spend 45 million when we have 2 academy players on the roster?
When we talk about wasting funds, this is a great example.
Reminds me of wasted Vieira funds. We had ESR already, and he was levels above Vieira in production. We wasted 34 million on a player unprepared and unable to produce, and sold ESR.
Let’s not repeat that mistake, and use our own resources first.
Having seen him perform for Greece against Scotland ,there is no doubt that Karetsas is a highly talented youngster who has the “wow” factor.However,i would only echo the views expressed by Durand and hope that our recruitment team focus on our priorities which do not include another left footed ball player .
This is another Fabio type waste of money signing as Aryeta continues his plan to whitewash Arsenal.
We will never ever win anything with Arteta. He only wants white robotic donkey players as this club. His system has failed he has failed.
Arteta OUT
@Free.
I hope you are not being a racist idiot with that “White robotic donkey players” statement you just made.
@Admin, I don’t think this comment should have been allowed to be posted.
Free. Gabriel, Partey, Timber, Tomiyasu, were all bought by Mikel. You could hardly call those players white.
If you want to be a racist, follow another club, as we tolerate racists at The Arsenal !!
Just a correction, we don’t tolerate racists at the Arsenal.
Fully behind your statement.
Kia, thanks for adding the *don’t. I was rather angry at that post by Free and didn’t read my post before sending it.
HD – didn’t realize we still had these kind of fans.
What a disgrace!
Oh I did unfortunately
Ken, it would seem that they are sadly still amongst us 😡.
Just watch the news
What has the news got to do with The Arsenal ?
I don’t understand your question. What part of the article isn’t to do with The Arsenal?
Michelle, my post was to Dan’s post about racists in the news.
Response to Ken mate you said he was surprised
The news tells you racism In apparent in the world
So law of averages every fan base will have a few
Never said surprised at all. Still, having comprehension problems again 🤔
I meant to write Ken who said he was surprised mate
As Ken said he doesn’t didn’t realise
Just to clarify my use of the words “realize” and “disgrace”.
I’m one of the lucky ones who has had a season ticket going back years – both at Highbury and The Emirates.
I have seen many different people from different backgrounds and cultures sitting around me, both female and male.
I have never heard any racists chants from our fans, since around the 1980’s when I started taking my eldest daughter to matches.
Of course, bad language and insults would fly around back then and players like David Price etc would be singled out by loudmouths back in those days.
But it is different at The Emirates and if a player is singled out for abuse, it is not backed up by the crowd and I can say without fear of contradiction that, where I sit at the Clock End, there is no racial abuse of any player whatsoever.
I take DK’s point that racial abuse exists, but not at our club on match days in my experience.
There have been numerous over the years
As recently as the PSG game
Racism in the PSG game ?
Was you at the game Dan and if so, where was you sitting?
What was being chanted, who at and did you report it to the stewards as requested?
Are you guys going to deny it just because it’s Arsenal
You have asked me before and I have then numerous examples
Yeah mate both
Pretty well known
I have at the Napoli game and complained numerous times over the years about chants comments against each other
Sorry Dan, but I can’t find one answer to the questions I asked you.
Let’s try again :
1. Was you at the PSG game?
2. If so, where was you sitting?
3. What was being chanted?
4. Who at?
5. Did you report it to the stewards?
I’ve played back the game, after attending it and cannot hear any racial chanting whatsoever, so it would be good to know the answers to the questions.
Thanks in advance.
No but I can provide evidence it happened
Yet something tells me your try and defend it which is sad
Arsenal also confirmed that 2 fans were banned in 2024 for racism
Dan, how can I defend something I didn’t see or hear?
You said it happened at the PSG game, not me.
The reason I picked up on your accusation was that I was there at the Clock End, while my daughter and grandson were at the North Bank.
As usual, we discussed the game on the way home and listened to the comments on the radio.
Not once was it mentioned that racist chants were heard.
Now I think you do a great disservice to our club by saying there was, unless you can actually prove otherwise.
The Arsenal have put a lot of time and effort into stamping out ANY kind of abuse coming from inside the ground and they run videos at every game asking fans to report said abuse.
If you can provide evidence, as you say, why on earth don’t you report it to the club?
Siting 2024 and the two people banned, surely strengthens my point that the club will act when informed?
I really would be interested in seeing the evidence you have said you’ve got, so can you provide it to me please?
PSG have already have from the 1st leg
They sent Arsenal video footage
Meanwhile the racist in the 2nd leg has been caught on video and again the club are aware
And no mate two being banned proves racism which takes place which is what your trying to argue isn’t it ?
Other evidence includes Kouliabaly being racially abused at the Napoli game
I also told you in the past Sikh fans being racially abused
So yes In our fan base racism exists like he does in all parts of the world
Dan, have you seen these videos, as they haven’t been mentioned anywhere else?
Our club hasn’t mentioned it, which is more concerning.
I’ll contact the club tomorrow to see if I can find out anymore facts, especially as I say, the club are determined to stamp out any form of racism.
Any idea if it was just the one person in the first leg as well?
As for your point about the two fans being banned – I don’t see your point frankly.
What do you expect our club to do, apart from banning them as soon as possible?
The club cannot control every fan that attends a match before they arrive.
I’m of the opinion that our club has made every effort to stop any kind of abuse and to try and insinuate that racial abuse is a common issue at The Emirates is wrong.
You cite one game where two people were punished out of 60,000 plus… times that by 17 other PL games (let alone CL and domestic cup matches) and the figure, although disgusting, is not a figure that should be used to denegrate our fanbase as racist.
I’ll come back when I’ve contacted the club tomorrow.
Go ahead mate
They have of course already released a statement lol
Didnt say just at the Emirates, said in our fanbase
I have name more then one mate
PSG at home – racism
PSG away – racism
Napoli at home in Europa League – racism
2 banned last year for racism
Sikh fan in 2022 against Liverpool – racism
So what say is factually not true
Racism happens in our fanbase , home / away / online
Very sad what your trying to do
Free,
What are you talking about, now as some of my fellow poster’s on this forum will know, I’m not the biggest fan of Arteta and never have been.
But to accuse him of trying to whitewash Arsenal as you call it, is completely out of order. The last time I looked the squad has a very varied balance of players from different back grounds.
And then to imply that Arteta is racist way off the mark as far as I can see. And remember I’m not one of Arteta’s biggest fans.
Doesn’t matter if your a fan of his or not Derek, calling someone out for lying is something we should all do.
I did not see this one coming. I am shocked and it’s giving me that Havertz transfer vibe. Spent more then £60 million on Havertz when we did not have to. To this days I still think that he was overpriced and was not needed at that time.
But Arteta and his team are the ones in control so I just have to hope that they have valid reasons for their own decisions.
🙏🤞
It’s a similar deal to the one we got Saliba. I looked up his clips, and I must admit he looked more like a right winger than an RCM playmaker. I’m also scratching my head because of Nwaneri and Dowman, who are also both left-footed and play in similar areas. The cream will rise to the top is my only conclusion
we need ready-made players not promising kids !!
As long as we are not diving deep into this seasons transfer war chest this is a good investment IMO. He is highly rated in Europe.
Over the last many weeks, we have read about deals that are “close” without ever being closed! I will put this one in that category until hard facts show otherwise.
I saw him with the Greek National Team. He was very good even though he was only 17 years old. If there is real interest, they will target him as a replacement for Saka and I think he is better than Nwaneri for this position. You will tell me why they don’t take Mbeumo. Probably because he will want to be a starter and not a substitute.
He’s quite good, but is he actually worth €45 million? For context, Gabriel only cost us ~€27 million and look how he turned out. In addition, we have lots of great midfielders: Ødegaard and Nwaneri to list a few. So do Arsenal really want to spend €45 on him?
I’m not saying that he is bad, but spending that much money for a position we are covered in seems wrong. Why not just get a striker instead?