Karetsas transfer battle heats up as Milan present vision and Borussia Dortmund raise bid
Quick summary
AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund are locked in a transfer battle for young prospect Karetsas, with Milan presenting their sporting project and Dortmund reportedly raising their financial offer.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceMilan coach Ruben Amorim reportedly called Konstantin Karetsas to present his vision, but Borussia Dortmund are working harder on agreeing a deal with KRC Genk.
The 18-year-old creative midfielder is a known target for the Rossoneri, but there is plenty of competition for the €40m-rated Greece international.
Milan vs. Borussia Dortmund for Karetsas UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS – JANUARY 22: Konstantinos Karetsas of Genk runs with the ball during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between FC Utrecht and KRC Genk at Stadion Galgenwaard on January 22, 2026 in Utrecht, Netherlands. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) The most determined are without doubt Borussia Dortmund, who held several meetings with Genk to discuss the fee, and HLN claim are holding more talks today.
Their first offer of €30m plus €5m add-ons was rejected, but the asking price is believed to be around €40m including bonus.
Milan are taking a different route, as the same Belgian source insists that coach Amorim spoke directly to Karetsas and explained his vision for the player.
He is hoping to convince the teenager to hold off until Milan make a sale, at which point they can go all in for his transfer.
They already paid well over €100m to get Mario Gila from Lazio and Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos, so are stalled until figures like Rafael Leao and Youssouf Fofana can be sold.
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What happened
The transfer race for Karetsas is intensifying as two major European clubs vie for his signature. AC Milan are leveraging their sporting project and vision to attract the player, while Borussia Dortmund have responded by increasing their bid. The competing approaches — Milan's project-based pitch versus Dortmund's improved financial terms — highlight the different strategies clubs use to land emerging talent. The outcome remains undecided as both clubs push to finalize the deal.
Chance analysis
This is a youth market transfer battle with implications for squad building at both clubs. Milan's approach of selling a long-term project contrasts with Dortmund's traditional model of developing young talent. If Milan land Karetsas, it signals their continued investment in young prospects; if Dortmund win, it reinforces their reputation as a top destination for emerging European talent. The decision could affect both clubs' short-term squad depth and long-term development pipelines.
Milan or Dortmund will strengthen their squad with a young prospect, while the losing club will need alternative targets in the youth market.
Monitor Karetsas' destination for its impact on Milan and Dortmund's youth recruitment and squad planning.