Arsenal 'make contact' for 23-goal MONSTER after Arteta criticism

Tom Weber

Updated: 15 Feb 2025 16:22 GMT
3 min read

Arsenal have 'made contact' with Atalanta over Mateo Retegui, according to a report.

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The Gunners' striker situation is looking dire after Kai Havertz suffered a long-term injury during their warm-weather training camp in Dubai. The German will miss the rest of the season, as will Gabriel Jesus, while Gabriel Martinelli has also suffered a long-term problem.

Internally, Arsenal still believe that they made the right call by not wasting their summer budget on a 'panic signing' in January, but manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that he may be forced into some strange personnel decisions in the wake of the injury crisis.

Against Leicester on Saturday, Leandro Trossard started in the nominal No.9 position, but it was ultimately midfielder Mikel Merino who spared the Gunners' blushes with a crucial brace.

Arteta has been accused of being 'scared' of signing a 'proper No.9' by Troy Deeney because strikers are often eccentric and disruptive, but the expectation is firmly that the North London giants will sign a big-name centre-forward in the summer.

Arsenal make Retegui contact

Arteta's top targets remain Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak, but in recent weeks, Atalanta sharpshooter Mateo Retegui has increasingly been associated with Arsenal as well.

It is not hard to see why either. The Italy international has netted a whopping 23 goals in 34 appearances this season, while also providing four assists.

Despite some injury problems in December, he has been nothing short of sensational in 2025. In five Serie A games since the turn of the year, he has netted an absurd eight goals, which includes a four-goal haul against Hellas Verona last week.

According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal have already 'made contact' with Atalanta to discuss a potential summer move. Man Utd and other European top clubs are also thought to be keen on the Argentina-born striker.

Atalanta, it is claimed, will ask for around €60 million for Retegui, who only joined the Bergamo outfit last summer for around €21m. It's a hefty fee but it would still make him cheaper than Isak or Sesko, for example.