Mateo Retegui Transfer War: Milan vs Saudi Millions

Mateo Retegui transfer speculation is accelerating as AC Milan, ambitious Saudi Pro-League side Al-Qadisiyah and fellow Serie A outfit Atalanta lock horns over Italy’s new-found goal machine. Reports in Italy suggest La Dea have fixed the asking price at €50 million after watching the naturalised Azzurri striker finish the campaign as the division’s joint-top scorer. The figure has not scared off heavyweights in Europe or the Middle East, setting the stage for a summer saga that could reshape Milan’s forward line and test the emerging financial muscle of Saudi football.

Why the Mateo Retegui transfer suits Milan

Milan’s recruitment department, led by Geoffrey Moncada, identified the Mateo Retegui transfer as a priority the moment Olivier Giroud announced his move to Los Angeles FC. Stefano Pioli—or his potential successor, should Milan change coaches—needs a No. 9 who can press, link play and finish ruthlessly inside the box. Retegui, at 25, ticks every box: 21 league goals from open play, 56% shot accuracy and a work-rate that mirrors Rossoneri fan culture. With Rafael Leão drawing double teams on the left and Christian Pulisic thriving on the right, the Argentine-born striker would arrive to feast on high-quality service.

Atalanta’s stance and potential bargaining chips

Gian Piero Gasperini rarely sells his prime assets cheaply, and the €50 m valuation of the Mateo Retegui transfer reflects that. Milan hope to lower the fee by offering young midfielder Tommaso Pobega or winger Alexis Saelemaekers as makeweights, mirroring the successful swap-plus-cash formula that landed Charles De Ketelaere in Bergamo last year. However, Atalanta know Saudi money could blow barter deals out of the water, so they are in no hurry. Their participation in next season’s Champions League also reduces the need for quick cash.

Saudi Pro League threat grows

Al-Qadisiyah, recently promoted and bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund, have placed the Mateo Retegui transfer atop their shopping list. They are prepared to meet Atalanta’s asking price in a single payment and offer the striker wages in excess of €12 m net per season—triple what Milan can realistically propose. Sources close to the player insist sporting ambitions still outweigh financial allure, but the precedent set by players like Sergej Milinković-Savić moving east cannot be dismissed.

Player profile: strengths, weaknesses, upside

Standing 1.86 m tall, Retegui thrives in aerial duels, converting five headed goals this season—the second-highest tally in Serie A. His relentless pressing aligns with Milan’s high-octane approach, yet critics note occasional heavy touches under pressure. A move to San Siro would pair him with Zlatan Ibrahimović in a mentorship role behind the scenes, a prospect rumoured to excite the player. Meanwhile, the Saudi league would offer less tactical rigor but greater freedom in the final third, potentially inflating his numbers without the same developmental challenge.

Financial fair play implications for Milan

The Mateo Retegui transfer, even negotiated down to €40 m plus bonuses, would consume almost the entire budget Paolo Maldini’s successors have ring-fenced for a top striker. Milan can amortise the fee over a five-year deal at roughly €8 m per season, but wages must stay under €5 m net to avoid breaching UEFA’s new squad-cost-ratio metrics. Selling fringe players such as Divock Origi and Ante Rebić could free up salary space, though finding buyers remains tricky.

Timeline of the Mateo Retegui transfer saga

• Early May: Milan scouts attend Atalanta matches, compile analytic dossier.
• Late May: Al-Qadisiyah open contact with agent Carlos-Pablo Retegui.
• 3 June: Atalanta fix €50 m price tag after internal valuation meeting.
• 10 June: Player’s entourage holds preliminary talks with Milan at Casa Milan.
• Mid-June: Italy’s national-team camp gives Roberto Mancini a chance to consult the striker on future plans.
• 1 July: Formal offers expected as the market opens; Atalanta willing to wait until late August if bidding war materialises.

Milan’s alternatives if the deal collapses

Should the Mateo Retegui transfer prove too costly, Milan have lined up Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna and Jonathan David of Lille. Both are younger but command similar fees and would demand higher wages. In contrast, Retegui’s Serie A experience lowers bedding-in risk, a key factor for a club aiming to reclaim the Scudetto immediately.

What does the player want?

Insiders say Retegui dreams of becoming a San Siro idol, following in the footsteps of Hernán Crespo and Carlos Bacca—fellow South Americans who left their mark with the Diavolo. Yet his camp will push Milan to match at least half of the salary Al-Qadisiyah propose. A compromise could involve image-rights incentives and performance bonuses that do not weigh on the salary cap.

Fans’ perspective and social-media buzz

Rossoneri supporters flood X (formerly Twitter) with #ReteguiRossonero, citing his chemistry with national-team colleague Pulisic. Conversely, Saudi fans hail the potential arrival as proof their league can lure talents at their peak, not just veterans. Neutral observers in Italy fear a talent drain if more prime-age players follow the money abroad.

Final hurdles before a decision

Medical history checks, personal-terms fine-tuning and Atalanta’s replacement hunt are the last pieces of the puzzle. Milan have shown a willingness to move fast once green lights appear, as seen with the quick capture of Tijjani Reijnders last summer. The Mateo Retegui transfer could therefore close rapidly after the first formal bid, though a prolonged auction remains possible if Saudi millions escalate.

Opinion

Retegui is the archetype of a modern Milan striker—mobile, resilient and lethal. Passing on him because of a €10 m gap would feel short-sighted, yet matching Saudi wages could jeopardise Milan’s long-term wage structure. The club must strike a delicate balance between ambition and prudence.