Karetsas in the Sights: The Trequartista Amorim Urgently Wants
One name has been gaining serious momentum in the corridors of Milanello and among the club’s hierarchy: Konstantinos Karetsas, the Greek trequartista born in 2006 who currently plays for Genk. AC Milan have been tracking him since at least November 2024, when a Rossoneri scout was present in Belgium for one of the Flemish club’s Europa League fixtures with the express purpose of watching him in person.
Since then, months have passed, the monitoring has never stopped, and today — right in the thick of the summer transfer window — the young Greek’s profile sits firmly at the top of Sérgio Amorim‘s wish list. The Portuguese coach has already experienced firsthand — during these early training sessions at Milanello — just how crucial it is to have a quality trequartista in his 3-4-2-1: a player capable of linking play between midfield and attack, threading passes to the striker, creating chances and scoring consistently.
Why Karetsas: Technical Profile and Characteristics
Karetsas is only 18 years old, but his technical qualities have already turned heads across Europe. A natural left-footer, he thrives in tight spaces thanks to quick, unpredictable movement. He is blessed with sharp reading of the game, excellent vision and a natural ability to create numerical superiority through dribbling. He is not a towering figure — more compact and stocky — but he compensates with pace, refined technique and tactical intelligence. These are, in short, precisely the qualities Amorim seeks in a trequartista.
How Milan’s Transfer Machine Works
According to information filtering through, Milan’s scouting structure has been organised meticulously around Amorim’s guidance. The manager identifies roles to strengthen, Bobby Gardiner — the key scouting figure at the club — compiles a shortlist supported by data and algorithms. The list is then refined and presented to Paolo Maldini, who initiates negotiations. Final approval rests with the board and the ownership led by Gerry Cardinale.
Karetsas’s name almost certainly appeared on the list previously overseen during the Tare era as well: names of monitored talents frequently overlap between the old and new management structures. This speaks volumes about the club’s persistent and structured interest in the Genk talent. Read more about his growing link to the club in our article Karetsas Increasingly Close: The Genk Talent Is Amorim’s Favourite.
The Borussia Dortmund Competition
However, the operation is not without its pitfalls. Borussia Dortmund have also moved decisively for the young Greek, and their track record of identifying and developing world-class talent is formidable. The German competition could make the negotiation more complex, both financially and in terms of the sporting ambitions offered to the player. Milan will need to act swiftly and with determination to avoid being gazumped on a profile they have pursued for nearly a year.
The feeling, however, is that the Rossoneri hold a meaningful relational advantage — the fruit of months of courtship. The date of 20 July, when these reports solidified, could mark the beginning of the most concrete phase of the deal. Karetsas represents a long-term investment, but one with the mentality and qualities to make an immediate impact in Amorim’s technical project.
