Juventus Eye Mateo Retegui as Late Transfer Target

Juventus are pushing into the final stretch of the transfer window with one eye fixed firmly on a familiar name: Mateo Retegui.

According to Italian outlet Tuttosport, the Italy international has resurfaced as a late target in Turin as Luciano Spalletti presses for 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 picture is far from complete. Dusan Vlahovic has gone for nothing, Lois Openda has been sent out on loan, and the squad still feels one striker short.

There is a catch. Before Juventus can move for anyone, they need to create room and cash. Jonathan David must be offloaded before the club will sign off on another attacking arrival, with Joshua Zirkzee and Alexander Sorloth also sitting on the shortlist. Retegui is not the only name in play, but he is one Spalletti knows inside out.

The coach worked closely with the forward during his spell in charge of the Azzurri and has long appreciated his relentless work rate and sharp instincts inside the box. That familiarity counts. So does the presence of sporting director Marco Ottolini, the man who first brought Retegui to Serie A from Argentina in 2023 during his time at Genoa. Ottolini has already signed off on the player once. He would happily do it again.

Retegui’s situation, though, is complicated. Now 27 and under contract with Al-Qadsiah until 2028 after a €65m move from Atalanta, he is locked into a Saudi deal that is as lucrative as it is lengthy. He started the new Saudi Pro League season with 73 minutes in a 3-1 win at Al-Shabab on the opening weekend, a reminder that he is not frozen out or agitating publicly for a move.

Tuttosport reports that Juventus would prefer an initial loan if Retegui shows a genuine desire to return to Italian football. Convincing the player himself is not seen as the main obstacle. The problem is his salary. His €20m annual wage at Al-Qadsiah is described as astronomical and stands as the major barrier to any agreement.

For the deal to have any chance, Al-Qadsiah would likely need to cover a significant portion of those wages. Without that, the numbers simply do not add up for Juventus, who are already juggling sales, loans, and budget constraints as they attempt to complete an attacking overhaul.

Time is draining away. The club still has to find a buyer for David, still has to unlock space on the wage bill, and still has to deliver Spalletti the “proven focal point” he wants to drive competition and depth through a congested schedule.

Retegui remains on the table. For now, though, he looks like the ambitious option that only becomes real if Al-Qadsiah blink first.