Arsenal ‘very close’ to signing £38m teen playmaker 

Gunners closing in on landing Konstantinos Karetsas for around £38m from Belgium side Genk

The Gunners are understood to be ‘very close to an agreement’ with Belgium side Genk to sign Konstantinos Karetsas for around £38m.

If Arsenal were to land the talented teenage playmaker with a wand of a left foot, as well as creativity and vision, it would make Karetsas the most expensive 17-year-old signing ever. 

While it has been expected that the North London giants are set for a busy summer under new sporting director Andrea Berta, a lack of a first signing for the former Atletico Madrid dealmaker is starting to concern fans, with Premier League rivals eagerly confirming new signings while striving to complete more transfers in the early transfer window, prior to the club World Cup.

Signing the young Greek prospect this week could allay those fears for now, with Karetsas ending last term with two goals and two assists in 25 league matches, while also winning the division's goal of the season award for a long-range strike against Gent.

It is understood Liverpool scouted Karetsas in action for Greece during their 3-0 win over Scotland in the Nations League in March, as the 17-year-old became Greece’s youngest-ever goalscorer.