Man Utd make ‘Europe’s best striker’ number one summer target

Carlo Garganese

• 11 Feb 2025 02:25 CST
• 4 min read

Atalanta sensation and Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui is now Manchester United’s primary summer target for the number nine position.

According to Fichajes, Retegui has moved above other strikers such as Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Victor Osimhen on United’s summer shortlist.

United have watched Retegui on a number of occasions this season and are said to be hugely impressed by what they have seen.

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Manager Ruben Amorim also believes that Retegui is the perfect profile for his 3-4-2-1 system as it is a formation that Atalanta also often play under Gian Piero Gasperini.

Retegui has been a breakout star in Europe this season with a brilliant 20 goals in 22 Serie A games making him the top scorer in the division.

When it comes to goals per minute player, Retegui is by far the best striker in Europe’s top five leagues.

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As per LiveScore, he has found the back of the net once every 66 minutes in league football this season.

The next best player in Europe is Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane with a goal every 73 minutes followed by PSG’s Ousmane Dembele with a goal every 75 minutes.

Atalanta had intended to keep Retegui this summer, with Ademola Lookman and Ederson more likely to be available.

However, such is Retegui’s brilliant form that it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to repel the advances of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Atalanta value Retegui above €60m but his pricetag is rising all the time.

Retegui at Atalanta

Retegui is an old-fashioned penalty box striker who boasts a powerful shot, excellent movement, clinical finishing, two great feet and aerial prowess. He has also improved massively with his link-up play outside of the box and playing with his back to goal.

Retegui was born in Argentina and started his career at Boca Juniors, who loaned him out to a series of clubs.

It was on loan at Tigre between 2021 and 2023 where he really found his feet as he scored 35 goals in 70 games.

After being scouted by then-Italy coach Roberto Mancini, who naturalized the striker for the Azzurri due to his Italian ancestry, Retegui made his international debut in 2023 and scored against England.

This earned him a move to Genoa where he scored nine goals in 31 games in the 2023-24 season.

But it is at Atalanta where he has really exploded.

Retegui has won 18 caps for Italy, scoring six goals and he played at Euro 2024.