Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui ahead of the January transfer window.
Mateo Retegui, 25, has become one of the big sensations in European football in recent months. Since he arrived at Atalanta from Genoa in August, the Argentina-born Italy international has scored 14 goals and provided three assists in 19 matches, placing him among the top scorers in Europe alongside stars like Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Omar Marmoush.
The 25-year-old centre-forward’s dazzling displays for Atalanta haven’t gone unnoticed across Europe. According to a report from Il Giornale (h/t Calciomercato), Arsenal have scouted Retegui several times during this season. In fact, the scouts had the opportunity to watch him live in the Champions League clash when he missed a penalty in the 0-0 draw with the Gunners last month.
Mateo Retegui linked with Arsenal—Can he aid their title push?
Arsenal may have some work to do in the January transfer window. Mikel Arteta’s side are lagging behind in the Premier League title race right now as they’re currently nine points behind league leaders Liverpool.
They will be looking to kick on, but in order to do so, the North London side may need some reinforcements in winter. Despite being linked with a striker throughout the summer, Arsenal did not bring in a new centre-forward. And that has affected them, with Kai Havertz not scoring goals at a regular rate and Gabriel Jesus still waiting for his first strike of the season.
Thus, the Gunners must prioritise signing a striker when the transfer window reopens. Mateo Retegui, in that regard, would be a good option. The Italy international is one of the most in-form strikers in Europe right now, banging goals left, right and centre for Atalanta. He has gone from strength to strength since arriving at La Dea earlier this year, blossoming into a lethal goalscorer under the watchful eyes of Gian Piero Gasperini.
14 goals in 19 games are incredible numbers for a striker adapting to Gasperini’s system in Bergamo. This illustrates the quality of Retegui, and at 25, he is certainly about to hit the peak years of his career. The San Fernando native will improve further with coaching and experience, and he could be enticed to the option of joining Arsenal if they came calling next year.
Purely going by his numbers this season, Retegui would be an instant upgrade on Jesus, who the Gunners must look to move on in the summer owing to his injury problems and inconsistent performances.
Valued at €45 million, Arsenal must all over Retegui’s signature as he could turn out to be the final puzzle to help them win the Premier League title. That said, Arteta and Co. must fancy their chances in the winter window.
