In their continuing push to sign attacking midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas, Patrick Berger reports that Borussia Dortmund have upped their offer for the Greek phenom to over €30m. Moreover, Berger notes, Dortmund executives Nils Ole Book and Lars Ricken have travelled to Genk personally to seal the deal. A €30m offer is said to have been rejected. The new offer, via bonuses, pushes the fee above Genk’s baseline demands.

Karetsas primarily operates as an attacking midfielder, though the left-footer is also comfortable starting from the right and drifting into central areas. His greatest strengths lie in his close control, agility, and ability to carry the ball through congested spaces. The €35m-valued Genk youngster possesses the vision to spot runners between defensive lines and can create chances through quick combinations.

Advertisement

The list of BVB departures this summer – which includes plenty of capable right wing attacking artists such as Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt, and Julien Duranville – mean that die Schwarzgelben need to shore up their offensive ranks as soon as possible. After Justin Lerma, the 18-year-old Greek will serve as Dortmund’s second attacking addition of the present transfer window.

GGFN | Peter Weis