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Mateo Retegui Seals €67m Move from Atalanta to Al Qadsiah
Mateo Retegui will join Al Qadsiah after a deal was reached with Atalanta, with the Italian striker set to earn a huge increase in salary. The transfer, valued at up to €67 million including add-ons, marks another major signing for the Saudi Pro League.
According to a previous report, Al Qadsiah are about to sign Mateo Retegui from Atalanta in a deal worth up to €65 million.
TRANSFER AGREEMENT AND PLAYER TERMS
Al Qadsiah and Atalanta have agreed on a package worth up to €67 million for the services of Retegui, after the Italian side had turned down previous offers, holding out for a fee close to their valuation. Retegui, who only joined Atalanta at the start of last season, has accepted a contract that will reportedly see him earn around €20 million per year, more than six times his salary in Italy. He is set to sign a long-term deal with the Saudi club, further highlighting the league’s growing financial power.
Mateo Retegui has agreed to a contract worth €20 million a year with Al Qadsiah.
IMPACT ON ATALANTA AND PLAYER PERFORMANCE
This transfer is a significant loss for Atalanta. Retegui was a standout performer since joining from Genoa and finished as Serie A’s top scorer last season, netting 25 goals in 36 Serie A games for Atalanta.
Mateo Retegui scored 25 goals in 36 Serie A games for Atalanta.
For the Italian national team, he has scored six times in 20 caps.
Atalanta finished 3rd in Serie A last season, qualifying for the Champions League.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR AL QADSIAH AND NEXT STEPS
Al Qadsiah, who finished fourth in the Saudi Pro League last season, will expect Retegui to transform their attack and help move them into the upper echelons of the table. Their next fixture is against Al Hilal, the reigning champions for the semifinals of the Saudi Supercup, offering an immediate test for both the club’s ambitions and their new signing.
Al Qadsiah finished fourth in the Saudi Pro League last season.
Meanwhile, Atalanta must address the gap left up front, as they prepare for the start of their Serie A season and European qualifiers, now just weeks away.