Mateo Retegui’s name is once again strongly on AC Milan’s radar. The Italian-Argentine striker, who was already followed by the Rossoneri last summer before choosing to move to Al-Qadsiah, is said to have been one of the main topics of the meeting between Igli Tare and Alessandro Moggi. It is no secret, in fact, that the club is still searching for a true center-forward, capable of inheriting the role left by Olivier Giroud and of providing attacking presence, physicality in the box, and tactical flexibility.
A center-forward suited to multiple solutions
Retegui represents a profile that closely matches Milan’s current needs. He can play as the main attacking reference in a 3-5-2 system, dropping deeper to link up play and making himself available for crosses coming from the wings. At the same time, he is able to combine with teammates and create space for wingers and attacking midfielders such as Leão, Pulisic, and Nkunku. His presence would also allow for a two-striker setup in certain phases of the match. Moreover, Retegui has already shown that he can operate effectively both in a three-man attack and in a strike partnership.
Retegui's qualities not in question. But the obstacle is his wage...
From a technical standpoint, Mateo Retegui’s profile is convincing. The real issue, however, concerns the financial aspect. To accept the Saudi offer, the Italian-Argentine striker signed a contract worth €20 million net per season, figures well beyond Milan’s wage structure. The only viable path would be a complete restructuring of his salary, potentially through a multi-year deal worth around €5 million net plus bonuses. And it is precisely here that the most complicated challenge lies.
