Mateo Retegui. Remember the name — because Arsenal just might make it their own.
As their search for a proven goal scorer intensifies, Arsenal are circling around one of the players they crossed paths with already this season. As per reports from Caught Offside, the Gunners are targeting Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui if they fail to land primary target Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.
It is no secret that the north Londoners have been in the market for a striker for a couple of seasons now. Being unable to find the back of the net often enough has ultimately caused Arsenal to finish runners-up to Manchester City for two consecutive seasons.
Now, with title races getting even more competitive with the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool redeveloping their teams, it is important the Gunners get their transfers absolutely right. To that tune, they will keep an eye on Mateo Retegui as a backup option for Gyokeres.
How can Mateo Retegui help Arsenal?
While Gyokeres remains open to the challenge of the Premier League, it will be difficult to prise him away from Sporting next summer. The Portuguese side will fight tooth and nail to keep their prized asset, and even if they do agree to sell, one can say with a guarantee that he would cost in excess of £100 million.
Mateo Retegui, on the other hand, reportedly has a release clause in the region of £45 million in his existing contract with Atalanta. The 25-year-old Italian has enjoyed a strong and consistent start to this season so far. He has made 17 appearances across competitions, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists.
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A tall, mobile and versatile striker, Retegui has all the ingredients to succeed at Arsenal in general, but especially with the current crop of players. Being just 25, he would fit right in, and would also have two Italian teammates in Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori. Now, it remains to be seen how Arsenal go about this move.
