Eighteen years old, 18 assists last season, and a left foot that has Europe’s elite on alert. Borussia Dortmund are flying to Belgium right now to wrap up a €35m deal before heading to Asia – here is everything you need to know about Konstantinos Karetsas.
Borussia Dortmund’s pursuit of Konstantinos Karetsas – the details
Borussia Dortmund are trying to finalise a move for KRC Genk’s 18-year-old playmaker Konstantinos Karetsas this week, with club officials traveling to Belgium to wrap up negotiations.
According to Sky Germany, BVB executives are meeting directly with Genk sporting director Dimitri De Condé to reach a final breakthrough. Dortmund want the deal done before flying out for their pre-season tour of Japan on Sunday. While personal terms with the Greek international are already fully agreed, the two clubs are still negotiating the final fee.
Genk are holding out for €35m for their starlet. Dortmund’s initial approaches hovered around €30m , but with the money banked from Karim Adeyemi’s sale to Barcelona, Dortmund now have the financial room to bridge the gap using performance bonuses and a future sell-on clause.
Stylistically, Karetsas looks like a perfect fit. Coming through Genk’s academy – which previously produced stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois – the now Greece international was widely considered Belgium’s top young talent. As a left-footed midfielder who thrives as a No. 10 or operating from the right, his close control in tight spaces gives Dortmund the exact profile they lost with Julian Brandt’s departure.
Karetsas has made Dortmund his absolute priority, turning down Milan after BVB spent two years actively scouting him. If talks in Belgium go smoothly over the coming hours, he could officially become Dortmund’s next major summer signing.
