Serie A’s Top Gun Retegui Heads to Saudi Arabia in Record-Breaking Move

Al-Qadsiah snap up Atalanta star in £56m deal, setting new transfer record for Italian players

Mateo Retegui, last season’s top scorer in Italy’s Serie A, is swapping Bergamo for the desert. The 26-year-old Italian international has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah in a deal reported to be worth over £56 million — a record for an Italian footballer.

It’s a move that stunned the Italian football world. Retegui, who only joined Atalanta last summer, was expected to be the face of their next Champions League run. Instead, he’s heading east — and leaving behind the Serie A Golden Boot and a £55m fee that now makes Sandro Tonali the second most expensive Italian export.

A Whirlwind Year in Italy Ends with a Big-Money Goodbye

This time last year, Retegui was still relatively under the radar. Fresh off a decent spell at Genoa, few expected him to light up Italy’s top flight quite like he did.

But 25 goals in 36 league matches later, the story changed.

Atalanta, who finished third last season, owe a big chunk of that success to the Argentine-born striker. His blend of instinct, power, and smart off-the-ball movement gave Gian Piero Gasperini’s side a cutting edge they’d been missing.

His finishing? Clinical. His consistency? Remarkable.

And now he’s gone.

Saudi Football’s Latest Statement Signing

Al-Qadsiah isn’t just any Saudi Pro League club. Backed by the country’s sovereign investment drive into football, they’ve quietly built a side that finished fourth last season — not far off the likes of Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr.

Now, they’ve landed a striker in his prime. And not just any striker — the reigning top scorer from one of Europe’s toughest leagues.

Here’s what we know:

• Retegui signs a four-year contract.

• The £56m fee surpasses Tonali’s 2023 move to Newcastle.

• The deal includes performance-related add-ons, pushing it higher still.

It’s another clear sign that the Saudi Pro League isn’t just targeting aging stars past their prime. They want peak performers. And they’re willing to pay.

Retegui In, Aubameyang Out

The timing of this transfer wasn’t random. Al-Qadsiah had a gap to fill.

Last week, 36-year-old striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club. The former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea forward is reportedly set to join Marseille in Ligue 1. He scored 14 goals last season but struggled with form and fitness.

Replacing him with a 26-year-old in red-hot form is a serious upgrade.

This isn’t just a short-term solution. Retegui is being positioned as the long-term talisman for the club.

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And fans will be expecting fireworks from the start.

Italy’s Most Expensive Footballers – A New Order

The Retegui deal shifts the hierarchy in Italian football.

Here’s a quick look at the most expensive Italian players ever:

Retegui’s move isn’t just notable for the fee. It shows that Saudi clubs now have the muscle — and intent — to compete with Europe for top-tier talent. Not retirees. Not benchwarmers. Starters.

Argentina-Born, Italy-Made

Though born in Argentina, Retegui has worn the Azzurri blue since 2023. His debut came in a tough loss to England at home, but he marked it with a goal — and hasn’t looked back.

Since then, he’s netted six goals in 20 international appearances, earning praise from Roberto Mancini and later Luciano Spalletti.

He was expected to play a big role in Italy’s upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign. The move to Saudi Arabia may not affect that, at least not immediately. But it will raise questions about whether Italy’s top striker can stay sharp away from top-flight European competition.

Football purists will argue this isn’t good for his career. But money talks. And right now, it’s speaking fluent Riyadhi.

What Al-Qadsiah Gains — and What Atalanta Loses

Atalanta fans will feel this one. The club released a statement thanking Retegui for his “extraordinary contribution” and wishing him the best. But behind the scenes, the disappointment is clear.

The Percassi and Pagliuca families — Atalanta’s co-owners — saw Retegui as the spine of next season’s campaign. He was meant to be the face of their return to Europe’s elite stage.

Instead, they’re now scrambling for a replacement. And the market? It’s not exactly overflowing with affordable 25-goal strikers.

For Al-Qadsiah, though, the gain is enormous.

• A proven finisher.

• At peak age.

• Already international level.

• Huge commercial appeal.

What’s Next for Retegui?

Well, a new language, a new climate, and a new football culture await.

Retegui’s move mirrors what we’re seeing across the board — from Sergej Milinković-Savić to Aleksandar Mitrović. Saudi clubs are reshaping football’s talent flows.

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And Retegui’s transfer might just be the biggest signal yet.

Will he succeed in Saudi Arabia? Will he maintain his Italy spot? Will he regret leaving Atalanta?

That’s all still to be answered. But for now, one thing’s clear: Europe’s grip on football’s biggest stars is no longer absolute.