Juventus Pursue Striker Mateo Retegui Amid Transfer Scramble

Juventus have turned to a familiar name in their late scramble for a striker, with Mateo Retegui back on the radar as Luciano Spalletti pushes for one more centre-forward before the window shuts, according to Italian outlet Tuttosport.

The Bianconeri have already reshaped their attack this summer. Randal Kolo Muani has arrived, as has Jeff Ekhator, but the departures have bitten hard: Dusan Vlahovic has gone for nothing and Lois Openda has been sent out on loan. Any further signing now hinges on one key condition — Juventus must first find a buyer for Jonathan David.

Only then can they move.

Retegui sits among several names on the shortlist, alongside Joshua Zirkzee and Alexander Sorloth, but he carries a different kind of familiarity in Turin. Juventus monitored the Italy international in previous windows, and Spalletti knows exactly what he would be getting. The coach worked closely with him during his time in charge of the Azzurri and is a firm admirer of the striker’s relentless work rate and sharp instincts inside the box.

There is strong backing for the move behind the scenes as well. Sporting director Marco Ottolini is one of Retegui’s biggest supporters, having been the man who first brought him to Serie A from Argentina during his spell at Genoa in 2023. For Ottolini, it would be a reunion as much as a recruitment.

The financial reality, though, hits hard.

Tuttosport reports that Juventus would look to structure any deal as an initial loan if the 27-year-old signals a willingness to return to Italian football. Convincing the player is not seen as the main problem. His wages are. Retegui earns an astronomical €20 million per year at Al-Qadsiah, a salary that sits miles beyond what Juventus can realistically take on without help.

The numbers underline the scale of the challenge. Retegui is under contract with Al-Qadsiah until 2028, having joined from Atalanta in a €65m transfer. He remains an important figure there, starting and playing 73 minutes in their 3-1 win at Al-Shabab on the opening weekend of the Saudi Pro League.

So the clock ticks for Juventus.

They are running out of time to move Jonathan David on and free up the space needed to complete what would be a significant attacking overhaul before the deadline. Spalletti is intent on adding another proven focal point, someone who can offer depth and real competition across a congested schedule that will test the squad’s limits.

Right now, a deal for Retegui sits firmly in long-shot territory. Only a major concession from Al-Qadsiah — subsidising a large portion of those mammoth wages — would drag this from ambitious idea to realistic option.