Arsenal in talks for teenage talent with Fabregas comparisons | OneFootball

Arsenal Pursue Karetsas Deal as Focus Turns to Future-proofing Midfield

Genk starlet emerges as major summer target

In a move that blends audacity with foresight, Arsenal are reportedly in advanced talks to sign 17-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas from Genk, in a deal that could be worth up to €45 million. The Athenian-Macedonian news agency reports that the Gunners aim to finalise a deal this summer but allow the Greek teenager to stay on loan at Genk for the 2025/26 season.

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It is a strategy that speaks to Arsenal’s wider recalibration: youth, sustainability, and calculated aggression in the market. A generation ago, this might have looked like a gamble. Now, it is Arsenal’s default setting.

Karetsas drawing continental attention

The midfielder’s stock has surged rapidly, driven by composed displays in the Jupiler Pro League and a standout performance in Greece’s 3-0 win over Scotland earlier this year. Comparisons to a young Cesc Fabregas are not handed out lightly, but they reflect Karetsas’ control, vision and game intelligence.

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Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta is central to the negotiations, with his relationship with Karetsas’ agent, who also facilitated Albert Sambi Lokonga’s transfer, smoothing the process.

Historic price tag expected

Should the reported deal be completed, Karetsas would become the most expensive Greek player in history, eclipsing the €36 million Napoli paid for Kostas Manolas in 2019. Arsenal are keen to seal the transfer early to ward off interest from Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG, all of whom are monitoring the player.

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The plan is not to fast-track Karetsas to the Emirates but to let him mature in Belgium. First-team football, week in and week out, is deemed crucial before unleashing his potential in North London by 2026.

Long-term vision meets short-term needs

While the pursuit of Karetsas represents Arsenal’s eye for tomorrow, they are also navigating the present. Talks are ongoing with RB Leipzig over striker Benjamin Sesko, who netted 21 goals last season. Sporting director Berta is also in dialogue with Thomas Partey about a potential one-year contract extension, though Barcelona and Saudi clubs remain interested.

In this moment, Arsenal are plotting parallel paths: building a title-contending squad for now, and constructing the foundation for the future.

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Konstantinos Karetsas may not be a household name yet, but neither was Fabregas at 17, and the comparison isn’t just flattery. His calmness in midfield, ability to read the game and dictate tempo already sets him apart from many seasoned pros.

What’s even more encouraging for the supporters is that the club are not rushing this. Letting him develop at Genk shows trust in the process and a clear long-term vision. Arsenal are no longer scrambling for short-term fixes. They’re identifying elite potential early, something the best-run clubs have done for years.

And it’s not happening in isolation. With Sesko negotiations ongoing and Partey’s situation being managed with care, there’s a sense of joined-up thinking behind the scenes. Berta’s influence is already being felt — smart, strategic, and forward-thinking.

If Karetsas does arrive, he won’t just be the most expensive Greek footballer ever. He could very well be a cornerstone of Arsenal’s next great side. The future looks not just bright — it looks planned.