Newcastle United are on course for Champions League qualification for the second time in just three seasons after a 4-1 win over Manchester United.
Last time out, they struggled on the big stage, despite securing a stunning home victory over PSG. Should they make the group stages again, Eddie Howe will have his men better prepared. That’s a certainty.
In order to do this, however, he will have to invest when the summer transfer window opens in a couple of months.
The lack of a big-name signing is perhaps the only thing the Toon faithful have to say against the club right now, but this should be corrected ahead of next season.
There are plenty of areas to improve on in the first-team squad, which could see Howe being an extremely busy man once the current campaign comes to an end.
Several players might need to be sold to comply with the Premier League profit and sustainability regulations, something which the manager has done rather well during his time in charge of the Magpies.
Bringing in young talent and developing them into world-class players is another thing Howe has done well. Take a look at Alexander Isak for example, who is now being courted by Liverpool and Arsenal.
Could Newcastle bring in a player who is attracting interest from several European heavyweights this summer?
Newcastle eyeing move for teenage superstar in waiting
According to the Sun, Scouts from Newcastle were present at Hampden Park last month to witness Konstantinos Karetsas become Greece’s youngest-ever starter and then their youngest-ever scorer during their 3-0 victory over Scotland in the Nations League.
The Premier League outfit aren’t the only club to be keeping a close watch on the winger. Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich want to bring him to Germany, while Liverpool and Manchester United are admirers from England too, with fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa, Man City and Nottingham Forest also having scouts present in Glasgow a few weeks ago.
The 17-year-old currently plays for Belgian side Genk and has a contract at the club until the summer of 2027.
Luckily for Newcastle, there is a £35m release clause inserted into the deal, which is a very affordable fee for the Magpies.
Securing Champions League football this term would go a long way to enticing the youngster that St James’ Park is the best place for his development, especially as he could likely get more playing time compared to the other clubs interested.
Such is his emergence onto the European scene that the Greek wonderkid is showing a similar meteoric rise that Lamine Yamal has shown over the previous 12 months.
Why Konstantinos Karetsas could be Newcastle's own Lamine Yamal
Yamal made his senior club debut back during the 2022/23 season and, is still aged only 17. He has since gone on to make 95 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 21 times while grabbing 30 assists in the process.
If Howe does manage to lure Karetsas to the club, could he have his very own version of the Spanish sensation at his disposal? It certainly looks that way.
Perhaps his greatest contribution has been at international level with Spain. Making his debut in September 2023, aged only 16, the winger duly scored on his debut against Georgia and hasn’t looked back since.
Indeed, he secured a place in the Euro 2024 squad, going on to play a part in every game during the victorious campaign, with the highlight being a stunning curling effort against France in the semi-final.
Such was his maturity; Yamal grabbed an assist in the final as Spain defeated England to win their fourth European Championship.
Both quick with a keen eye for goal, Karetsas has shown plenty of similar qualities in recent months. Like Yamal, who made history as Spain’s youngest-ever player when he made his debut, the Greek star was aged just 17 when he came off the bench against Scotland during a 1-0 loss last month.
A few days later, he made history of his own. In the return leg against the Scots, the attacking midfielder scored a delightful lob over Craig Gordon in the Scotland goal, making him the youngest-ever scorer for the Greek national team in the process.
Yamal has made his mark at a club like Barcelona. Could Karetsas do the same should he move to a European giant this summer?
Konstantinos Karetsas' best attributes
This season, the teenager has been in excellent form for Genk. Across 33 matches in all competitions, he has scored three goals while recording four assists.
In the Belgian top flight, Karetsas has created seven big chances for his teammates, averaging 1.6 key passes per game while succeeding with 1.1 dribbles each match.
Compared to his teammates, he ranks third for big chances created, third for key passes and second for successful dribbles, showcasing Yamal-like traits and demonstrating that he is already one of the best players in the team, despite his tender years.
The future looks bright indeed for the player and Newcastle must make sure they are there or thereabouts when it comes to trying to secure his signature this summer.
Football talent scout Jacek Kulig lauded the youngster for his antics against Scotland recently, suggesting he is “one of the most electrifying teenage talents in Europe.”
Goals
1
Assists
0
Key passes
1
Big chances created
0
Touches
39
Total duels won
6
Passes
18/19
Given the nature of the transfer market now, with players going for inflated fees, paying just £35m to sign Karetsas could turn out to be one of the best signings a club could make this summer.
Much will depend on just how strong the Magpies finish the season. With the top five securing a spot in the promised land of the Champions League, the incentive is there for Howe’s men.
If so, a talent like Karetsas may just be willing to make the move to the northeast when the window opens.
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