KRC Genk have rejected a €30 million offer from Borussia Dortmund for Konstantinos Karetsas, setting a firm €40 million valuation for the highly-rated teenage midfielder.
The Belgian club are holding out for €35m guaranteed plus €5m in add-ons. Dortmund representatives travelled to Belgium for advanced negotiations, but the Bundesliga side appear reluctant to improve their proposal at this stage. This hesitation leaves the door open for competing suitors.
Milan opportunity emerges
This impasse hands Milan a clear path to enter the race for the 18-year-old’s signature. The Serie A club had previously been trailing Dortmund’s pursuit but now understand exactly what financial package will secure a deal. Should they meet the €40m requirement, they could leapfrog the German club in the queue.
However, Milan face significant competition. Galatasaray and Paris Saint-Germain remain active in the market for attacking midfielders and are closely monitoring developments. The involvement of these well-resourced clubs may drive the final price beyond Genk’s current demands.
Breakout campaign
Karetsas established himself as one of Europe’s most promising creative talents last term, registering 18 assists and three goals across 49 competitive appearances for Genk. The teenager graduated from the club’s respected youth academy and previously represented Belgium at youth level before receiving his first call-up to the Greek senior national team.
With Dortmund unwilling to meet Genk’s asking price immediately, Milan could press their advantage by submitting a bid that matches the €35m base fee plus add-ons. Nevertheless, the sustained interest from Istanbul and Paris suggests the battle for Karetsas’s signature may extend deep into the transfer window.