What’s the Latest on Genk’s Konstantinos Karetsas? Five Premier League Clubs Interested – and Pep Guardiola Could Be Key

Konstantinos Karetsas, currently playing for Genk, is enjoying an outstanding season. Just 18 years old, he has been the club’s starting right winger throughout the campaign, making 28 appearances, registering 11 assists, and scoring in the Europa League.

He has netted twice in European competition and has also started in the Play-Off fixtures against Antwerp and Leuven.

WHAT GENK ARE DEMANDING FOR KARETSAS AND HOW THE PRICE COULD RISE

So, what’s the situation ahead of a potential summer transfer?

You will read and hear a lot, but let’s start with the facts. The Greek international is under contract until 2029. Therefore, for Genk to sell him, they will need to be fully satisfied financially.

Their demands are very clear: a starting price of €45 million, but effectively in the form of an auction. Any club that meets or exceeds that valuation will gain the advantage, while increasing offers will naturally drive the price even higher.

FIVE CLUBS IN THE RACE, PEP A KEY FACTOR

Genk’s current record sale stands at €26 million, for striker Tolu Arokodare, who joined Wolves last summer. That means even a €45 million deal for Karetsas would already break the club’s transfer record.

So, who is interested?

The answer is simple: some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League.

Manchester City are monitoring him as an option behind Semenyo, especially if Savinho departs. 

Arsenal have considered him, although they already have Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Ethan Nwaneri/Dowman-type profiles on the right. 

Liverpool could view him as a secondary option behind Mohamed Salah’s long-term replacement. 

Manchester United see him as a project player who could support Amad Diallo, while Chelsea are also firmly in the picture.

KEY INTEREST

Focus especially on the last two. 

Chelsea, because of their strategy of investing in young talents, with Estevão as a prime example, and their global scouting network. 

Manchester United, because they have the financial capacity to complete such a deal, even if Champions League qualification is not secured.

Arsenal are unlikely to pursue this seriously, while Manchester City’s interest will depend heavily on Pep Guardiola’s future.

If the Catalan manager stays, he is expected to speak directly with the player, if he hasn’t already. Karetsas seems perfectly suited to City’s style of play and could develop significantly with a proper pre-season. However, if Guardiola leaves, everything will depend on his successor.

Based on SportsBoom's reporting, what are the chances of Karetsas moving to the Premier League? Very high, significantly higher than any other league at this stage, despite reports linking him with Real Madrid, which, for now, lack concrete substance.

The conclusion? Guardiola’s future will be decisive, Chelsea continue to invest in profiles like his, and Manchester United are looking for exactly this type of player to complement Diallo.

The starting point is €45 million, and rising.

The only unlikely scenario? That Konstantinos Karetsas remains at Genk for another season.