Reports suggest that Arsenal close to the signing of Konstantinos Karetsas was completed for a cool £ 38 million and the Gunners would get one of Europe's most coveted wonder kids
It is not every day that you sign a player compared to Lionel Messi, but Arsenal can do that exactly. Konstantinos Karetsas, who is only 17, is said to be the subject of transfer discussions between the Gunners and Belgian giant Genk, his hometown club.
So, why is he called the 'Greek Messi'? Let's tackle the first part, as Arsenal close to an £ 38 million agreement. Karetsas was born in the city of Genk and represented Belgium at international level until the under-21 years.
But Greek football leaders had focused their eyes on him because both parents come from the north of the country and he had shown the willingness to change loyalty. In anticipation of their play-off from the Nations League against Scotland in March, FIFA approved the change and Karetsas won his first cap and admitted that he “had always had Greece in mind” if he had chosen Belgium.
His second performance was one to remember, scoring the second goal of Greece in a 3-0 drub in Hampden Park to earn promotion to League A. Karetsas took a goal at his first performance for Genk after the international break and a regular starter remained until the end of the campaign, when their title fell charge.
Especially an attacking midfielder, the reducing playmaker has drawn elevated comparisons with Messi thanks to his fleet-footed dribble and creative qualities. Just like Barcelona's legend, Karetsas likes to cut from the right and uses his left foot to blind defenders.
The 17-year-old grew up by looking at clips from colleague Barca icons Ronaldinho and Neymar who influenced his playing style. At 5ft 7, his low gravity enables him to stay in balance when he is sharpened by the opposition.
Karetsas scored three goals and delivered three assists in his first full season for Genk, which he revived in 2023 after a period of three years at other attachment. Now the prodigy born in 2007 will leave Genk for the second time, although he could have left two years ago when Manchester City, AC Milan and RB Leipzig all invited him to visit their facilities.
His father, Vaios, the Belgian outlet told Het Laatste Nieuws: “We thought it was too early for moving abroad. RB Leipzig, Milan and even Manchester City invited us several times to come and watch. We didn't like it.
Does Arsenal have to pay £ 38 million for Konstantinos Karetsas? Say in the commentary part.
“The only team outside of Genk where we had discussions was Ajax. Pure 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 affairs, but we had already given our word to Genk at that time.”
Karetsas has been patient and remained closer to home, but did not hesitate to doubt his ambition. “I aimed for the top,” he said earlier this year in an interview with Dazn.
Arsenal will hope to lead him there.