Leeds United have joined the race for prolific striker with transfer interest from all over Europe

Tobias Gavelle
Italian striker Mateo Regui celebrates after scoring his first international goal
Mateo Retegui celebrating his first Italian goal

Leeds United are reportedly eyeing up a move for Italian striker Mateo Retegui from Club Atlético Tigre, with a number of clubs around Europe also interested in the 23-year-old’s signature.

The Argentine born striker has scored 34 goals in his last 55 games for club and country, including two goals for Italy – one against England – following his shocking call up the Italian national team.

Eintracht Frankfurt, Inter Milan and AC Milan are reported to be interest in signing Retegui, with Leeds united now joining the list of suitors.

Italian journalist Ciro Venerato told Area Napoli today that all four clubs were interested in the striker.

He said: “Yes, I can confirm that Eintracht Frankfurt is on Retegui’s trail also because Kolo Muani will leave. On the footballer, there are also Leeds and the two Milanese [clubs],

“Inter has come forward for the player, talking to both the player and the forward. There’s just one small problem: at the moment, the Nerazzurri management still don’t have the money to buy the striker. We’ll talk about that later.”

Inter’s financial troubles have been well documented and with journalist Florian Plettenberg reporting the price tag for Retegui could be in the €15 million range, Leeds could well afford the fee, so long as they avoid relegation to the Championship.

Leeds have struggled for central forward options this year, with regular talisman Patrick Bamford struggling for fitness the past few seasons and top goal scorer Rodrigo only managing a full 90 minutes twice this calendar year.

The Yorkshire side’s last Premier League game, a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal, saw them field a front three of Crysencio Summerville, Brenden Aaronson and Luis Sinisterra, with no recognised number nine.

Georginio Rutter, Leeds’ record breaking £36 million January signing, has failed to cement a place in the team.

The 20-year-old Frenchman has yet to score in the Premier League, and Javi Gracia’s side are in desperate need of goals to help them escape relegation.

Leeds currently sit 18th in the table, one point from safety.

If the club are to survive the drop, Retegui would be seen as a way to take the load off of the current injury prone forwards, and help carry the team up the league after two disappointing seasons.

Retegui, on loan from Boca Juniors at Club Atlético Tigre, raised eyebrows when Roberto Mancini called him up to the Italian national team, despite the striker not speaking Italian.

He would prove his doubters wrong scoring two goals in two games, with Italy legend Francesco Totti describing him as an ‘incredible talent’.

Tigre will likely exercise their option to buy the player after his loan finishes, and then sell the player for profit.

Tigre president Ezequiel Melarana said: “Everything suggests that Retegui will be sold in June.

“There are several clubs in interested in Europe. We will buy 50 per cent of his price tag (from Boca). And we will be partners in the operation.”

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