Juventus Pursues Retegui as Final Transfer Target
Juventus are pushing into the final days of the window still searching for a centre-forward, and a familiar name has moved back into focus: Retegui.
Juventus circle back to Retegui
According to Italian outlet Tuttosport, the Italy international has re-emerged as a late option in Turin as Luciano Spalletti looks for one more striker to complete his attacking department. The Bianconeri have already reshaped their frontline this summer, bringing in Randal Kolo Muani and Jeff Ekhator, but the departures have bitten hard. Dusan Vlahovic has gone for nothing, Lois Openda has been loaned out, and the squad still feels one focal point short.
Retegui is not a new face to Juventus scouts. He was monitored in previous windows and has never completely disappeared from their lists. Spalletti knows him as well as anyone after working with him during his spell in charge of the Azzurri, and he is a coach who values exactly what Retegui offers: relentless work rate, constant movement and sharp instincts inside the box.
There is strong support for the move inside the club. Sporting director Marco Ottolini is a key backer, having been the man who first brought Retegui to Serie A from Argentina during his time at Genoa in 2023. For Ottolini, it would be a reunion as much as a transfer.
Money, contracts and a race against time
On paper, the deal Juventus want is clear. Tuttosport reports that the club would prefer an initial loan if the 27-year-old shows a real desire to return to Italian football. Convincing the player is not seen as the problem.
The numbers are.
Retegui is tied to Al-Qadsiah until 2028 after a €65m move from Atalanta and earns an eye-watering €20m per year. Those wages are the major obstacle, a figure that rips through Juventus’ current salary structure and leaves any deal dependent on help from Saudi Arabia.
The striker remains an important figure at his current club. He started the new Saudi Pro League season and played 73 minutes in Al-Qadsiah’s 3-1 win at Al-Shabab on the opening weekend, underlining that he is not being frozen out or pushed toward the exit.
Juventus, meanwhile, have their own domino that must fall. They need to find a buyer for Jonathan David before they can sign off any further attacking additions. Only then can they fully commit to a move, with Joshua Zirkzee and Alexander Sorloth also sitting on the shortlist as alternative profiles.
Time is draining away. Spalletti wants another proven reference point up front to guarantee depth and real competition across a congested schedule, but a deal for Retegui will only move from idea to reality if Al-Qadsiah agree to shoulder a significant chunk of those massive wages.
Without that concession, Retegui stays a tantalising name on the board rather than the new No. 9 in black and white.
