Juventus Eye Mateo Retegui as Late Transfer Target

Juventus are pushing deep into stoppage time of the transfer window, and a familiar name has flickered back onto their radar: Mateo Retegui.

According to Italian outlet Tuttosport, the Italy international has emerged as a late target as Luciano Spalletti hunts one more centre-forward before the market shuts. The Bianconeri have already reshaped their attack this summer, bringing in Randal Kolo Muani and Jeff Ekhator, but the departures have bitten hard. Dusan Vlahovic walked away for nothing, Lois Openda has gone out on loan, and the squad still looks one striker short.

There is a catch. Before Juventus can make any serious move, they need to find a buyer for Jonathan David. His exit is seen as essential to unlock funds and space on the wage bill for another forward. Joshua Zirkzee and Alexander Sorloth are also on the shortlist, but Retegui’s name carries a different kind of intrigue in Turin.

Spalletti knows exactly what he would be getting. He worked closely with Retegui during his spell in charge of the Azzurri and is a firm admirer of the striker’s relentless work rate and sharp instincts inside the box. Those qualities, proven at international level, make him an appealing option as a focal point in a long, congested season.

There is strong support for the move inside the club. Sporting director Marco Ottolini is one of its biggest backers, having been the man who first brought Retegui to Serie A from Argentina during his time at Genoa in 2023. That experience means Juventus have already done much of the homework on the player; they know his profile, his mentality, his fit.

On paper, it makes sense. On the balance sheet, it is a different story.

Retegui is tied to Al-Qadsiah on a contract running until 2028, after his €65m switch from Atalanta. He earns an eye-watering €20m per year in Saudi Arabia, a salary that sits miles beyond what Juventus are prepared to take on. Tuttosport reports that the club would prefer an initial loan if the 27-year-old shows a willingness to return to Italian football, a low-risk way to test the waters.

Convincing the player is not viewed as the main problem. The real obstacle is that salary. Unless Al-Qadsiah agree to cover a significant portion of his wages, the numbers simply do not add up for Juventus.

Retegui remains an active part of Al-Qadsiah’s plans. He started their Saudi Pro League campaign, playing 73 minutes in a 3-1 win at Al-Shabab on the opening weekend. That appearance underlines another complication: the Saudi club are not under pressure to sell, and certainly not on the cheap.

Time is draining away. Juventus still need to move Jonathan David on, still need to complete their attacking overhaul, and still need to hand Spalletti the “proven focal point” he is demanding to ensure depth and real competition for places.

Retegui is on the list. The fit is clear. But unless Al-Qadsiah bend on the financial side, this late-window idea risks staying exactly that: an idea, rather than the striker who walks out at the Allianz Stadium when the season’s real battles begin.