Arsenal now in "advanced discussions" to sign €45m playmaker - report

Arsenal are poised to make several signings to bolster the first-team squad this summer.

A marquee striker and a versatile winger appear to be the main targets for the London giants.

The Gunners have entered concrete talks with RB Leipzig for striker Benjamin Sesko, but they have yet to find an agreement with the German outfit.

Amidst this, Greek outlet AMNA claim that the Gunners are in ‘advanced discussions’ to sign Genk wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas this summer.

Mikel Arteta’s side are ‘very close’ to landing the 17-year-old sensation in a deal worth €45 million (£38 million) including add-ons.

Arsenal obviously can’t register Karetsas until he turns 18 on 19th November due to Brexit rules for under-age foreign players.

The Gunners plan to send him back on loan to Genk to continue his development next term.

Arsenal’s move for Karetsas is a surprise

Karetsas made his big breakthrough with Genk this campaign. He has registered three goals and two assists from 39 appearances in all competitions.

The teenager has been in and out of the starting line-up at the Belgian outfit and should get a consistent starting role next season if he continues on loan.

Arsenal’s interest has come out of the blue. Karetsas is an attacking midfielder by trade but tends to operate with a right-side bias similar to Martin Odegaard.

The Gunners already have Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman with an identical profile. The young duo are left-footed, similar to Karetsas, and can shoot from long-range.

Karetsas made the headlines with his stunning long-range goal against Scotland in March, which helped Greece secure promotion to League A in the Nations League.

€45m still appears quite high for a 17-year-old, but Arsenal are clearly banking on his immense potential.

They can’t afford to play the waiting game and seem intent on securing an early transfer agreement to avoid missing out on his services to a European rival.

Hopefully, this is an indication that the club are preparing for a record spending spree this summer.

It does not make sense to sign a teenager for €45m if the transfer budget is more restrained to bolster the first-team squad for a title challenge next season.

Stats from Transfermart.com

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