The search for a new center-forward for AC Milan already seems to be underway, and it’s crucial that it is. For too long, the striker position has been a gap in Milan’s squad that needs to be properly filled. At the moment, there are several names and profiles on sporting director Igli Tare’s shortlist that have been linked to the club for some time. One of them is Mateo Retegui, currently playing in the Saudi league on a very lucrative contract. In recent days, reports of a meeting in Milan have further fueled speculation.
Meeting in Milan
According to this morning’s edition of Tuttosport, last Friday evening Igli Tare, AC Milan’s sporting director, was spotted having dinner at a restaurant in Milan with Alessandro Moggi, who is part of the agency representing Mateo Retegui. While the two are known to be friends, the conversation reportedly went beyond a casual meeting and included discussions about the Italian-Argentine striker. The Albanian executive gathered initial information to begin exploring a potential deal. The key issue is Retegui’s massive €16 million salary at Al-Qadsiah. To return to Italy, the player would need to accept a significant pay cut, Milan could potentially offer up to €5 million plus bonuses, or hope for a loan arrangement between the two clubs. His transfer fee is estimated to be around €40 to 50 million.
A recurring name in AC Milan's agenda...
This is not the first time Retegui has been linked with Milan. In fact, he has been a recurring target since the summer of 2024, when he caught the attention of Geoffrey Moncada before the club ultimately opted for Álvaro Morata instead. The former Tigre striker moved from Genoa to Atalanta, where he went on to finish as the league’s top scorer under Gian Piero Gasperini. Last summer there was some interest again, but it quickly faded when Al-Qadsiah entered the scene and outbid everyone with an extraordinary salary offer.
Now, Retegui has already scored 15 goals in 25 matches, and there is a growing idea of returning to Italy, also influenced by the unstable geopolitical situation in the Middle East and surrounding areas. Milan have begun to make their move, and between now and the summer, anything could happen. One thing is certain: they cannot leave Allegri without a proper center-forward for another season.
