Borussia Dortmund Nears €35M Deal for Greek Teen Karetsas; Sporting Director Stays Behind to Finalize

Published Jul 26, 05:57 PM UTC

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Borussia Dortmund (BVB) is on the verge of signing 18-year-old Greek international Konstantinos Karetsas from KRC Genk. Sporting Director Ole Book is staying behind in Dortmund instead of joining the team's Japan trip to finalize negotiations. While Genk demands around €35 million, Dortmund is working to bridge the gap with bonus payments and a suitable payment structure. The player has already agreed to personal terms and is considered an internal dream candidate to add creativity following Julian Brandt's departure. BVB hopes to complete the transfer as early as next week, though Karetsas is unlikely to join the team in Japan and would instead arrive after the Asia trip.

Source report

Dortmund – While Borussia Dortmund departs for their Japan trip this Sunday, Sporting Director Ole Book (40) is staying behind in Dortmund. The club has not officially given a reason for him skipping the trip.

According to BILD information, however, there is a clear reason: Book is set to finalize the transfer of Konstantinos Karetsas (18) in the coming days. BVB does not want to lose any time in the poker game for the offensive talent from KRC Genk. The nine-hour time difference to Japan would unnecessarily complicate talks with Belgium.

BVB on the Verge of Breakthrough for Greek Jewel?

That is why Book is staying in Germany and will travel to Genk again shortly to continue negotiations in person. There is still a need for discussion between the two clubs. The ideas regarding the transfer fee in particular are still far apart. Genk continues to demand around €35 million, while Dortmund is working to bridge the gap with bonus payments and a suitable payment structure.

Konstantinos Karetsas (18) is set to join BVB. Photo: picture alliance/Eibner-Pressefoto

With the player himself, however, BVB has long been far along. Karetsas has signaled his willingness to move to Dortmund, and the basic contractual terms have been agreed upon. The Greek international is considered an absolute dream candidate for the offense internally and is expected to bring more creativity to Dortmund's game following Julian Brandt's departure. The club's officials have been intensively monitoring the 18-year-old for a long time.

Hope is therefore growing in Dortmund that the transfer can be completed as early as next week. The goal is to reach an agreement with Genk as quickly as possible and then handle the medical check and contract signing. According to BILD information, however, the 18-year-old subsequently traveling to join the team in Japan is considered almost impossible. Instead, after a successful completion of the transfer, Karetsas is expected to join BVB only after the Asia trip.

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Source

BILD - SportWestern

Original headline: Supertalent soll kommen - Transfer-Durchbruch in Dortmund?

Original language: DE

Part of this Story

Dortmund Pursues €35M Transfer of Greek Teen Karetsas from Genk

See the full Story: all sources and camp coverage

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