Dortmund Push Hard for Karetsas as Milan Remain in the Hunt

FolioPitch.com – 28 July 2026 | The race for Genk‘s promising attacking midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas is heating up, with Borussia Dortmund looking to seal a deal quickly. However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan are still involved in the Karetsas sweepstakes but Dortmund aim to close fast. The Italian giants have been trailing the 19-year-old for months, but their inability to offload Rafael Leao has stalled their pursuit.

Romano reported on Monday that Borussia Dortmund are set for a direct meeting with Genk today to try to advance on the Karetsas deal. “BVB want to be fast,” he wrote, while noting that “AC Milan are still involved in the race and trying for Karetsas among targets.” The keyword ‘Romano Milan still involved in Karetsas sweepstakes but Dortmund aim to close fast’ encapsulates the current dynamic: Milan are interested but cannot move decisively, whereas Dortmund are aggressively pushing to finalize terms.

The Karetsas saga has been a source of frustration for Milan supporters. The club’s technical director, Geoffrey Moncada, has long identified the left-footed attacking midfielder as an ideal fit for Ruben Amorim’s system, which requires a creative presence behind the striker on the right side. However, financial constraints have tied Milan’s hands. The priority remains selling Rafael Leao, who has attracted interest from Turkish club Fenerbahce. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Fenerbahce will send delegates to Italy this week to present an offer, hoping to do so after securing qualification for the Champions League group stage. That would boost their negotiating power and potentially unlock funds for Milan to compete for Karetsas.

Meanwhile, Dortmund have moved swiftly. The German club sees Karetsas as a long-term investment to bolster their creative midfield options, especially with Jude Bellingham’s departure last summer still leaving a void. Dortmund’s sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, has made the Belgian teenager a priority, and the club’s fast-moving approach contrasts sharply with Milan’s more cautious strategy. The scenario—Romano Milan still involved in Karetsas sweepstakes but Dortmund aim to close fast—highlights the different speeds at which the two clubs operate in the transfer market.

Karetsas, who has been impressive for Genk in the Belgian Pro League and European competitions, offers a profile that could thrive in the Bundesliga or Serie A. He is known for his dribbling, vision, and ability to cut inside from the left flank. Both Milan and Dortmund view him as a future star, but the immediate race is tilting in favor of the Bundesliga side. If Milan cannot offload Leao soon, they risk losing the player to Dortmund, who are ready to meet Genk’s valuation.

The situation remains fluid. Romano’s update confirms that Milan are still in the picture, but the clock is ticking. As he stated, “Deal on.” This means talks are ongoing, and both clubs are making moves. For Milan, the outcome may depend on how quickly they can generate the necessary funds. For Dortmund, it’s about maintaining momentum and closing before Milan can catch up. In the coming days, the phrase ‘Romano Milan still involved in Karetsas sweepstakes but Dortmund aim to close fast’ will likely define the narrative around this transfer.

In conclusion, the Karetsas transfer saga is a classic example of a three-horse race where timing and financial flexibility will decide the winner. Milan remain hopeful but need a sale first; Dortmund are pushing hard and could secure a signature within the week. Fans of both clubs will be watching closely as Romano’s reports continue to provide the latest updates.