Arsenal very close to signing 17-year-old midfielder in £38 million deal: Reports

Arsenal are allegedly keen to snap up KRC Genk midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas, who turned 17 last November, in the summer transfer window.

Since making his senior debut for his boyhood club in last May, Karetsas has emerged as one of the most gifted talents in Europe. He has scored three goals and laid out five assists in 43 games across all competitions for Thorsten Fink's side so far.

Karetsas, who has reportedly been linked with the likes of Bayern Munich and Liverpool, has represented Greece twice. The Belgian-born man has scored once for his national team, in a 3-0 UEFA Nations League triumph over Scotland earlier this March.

According to Greek outlet AMNA, Arsenal are close to finalising a transfer worth around £38 million to sign Karetsas. They are planning to keep the teenager on loan at Genk for the 2025-26 season for his development.

Karetsas, who is adept at playing as both an attacking midfielder and a winger, has a contract until June 2027 at Genk. He could decide to move to Arsenal as he could play as a backup to Bukayo Saka in the future.

Arsenal urged to sign former Everton star

During a recent chat on the Wrighty's House podcast, Arsenal legend Ian Wright showered praise on Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman. He said (h/t Metro):

"I can't help but look at his dark moments where it would have been dark for him. You know, especially the loan going to another country [to play for RB Leipzig]. And you know what? He never had no problem going wherever he needed to go to find it. And then obviously, like you say, you find your place. Like Scott McTominay's found that, like he's found with Atalanta."

Urging his former club to snap up Lookman this summer, Wright added:

"I hope we can buy him. I would love someone like him to come back to the Premier League and say, 'Listen, I have unfinished business here so I am going to help Arsenal win the league'. But I just admire his journey and now he's recognised rightly as a top player, unbelievable."

Lookman, 27, began his senior career at Charlton Athletic before moving to Everton in January 2017. He permanently joined RB Leipzig in July 2019. After a couple of loan spells, the Nigerian joined Atalanta in August 2022.

So far, the right-footed versatile forward has registered 52 goals and 25 assists in 118 total appearances, including 88 starts, for the Serie A side.