Official: Retegui completes record 65m transfer from Atalanta to Al Qadsiah | OneFootball

Italy international Mateo Retegui has officially completed his record-breaking transfer from Atalanta to Al Qadsiah for a reported €65m fee plus add-ons.

This makes him the most expensive ever Italian player on the transfer market, beating the record previously set by Sandro Tonali’s switch from Milan to Newcastle United for €59m.

He is also reported to be earning circa €20m per season in wages with the Saudi Pro League side, having signed a three-year contract.

Retegui rose to the top with Atalanta

VERONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Mateo Retegui of Atalanta celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Verona and Atalanta at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 08, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The 26-year-old was born and raised in Argentina, but received a call-up for the Italy squad in 2023 and then made the move to Serie A for Genoa.

Atalanta purchased Retegui last summer as a late replacement for injured Gianluca Scamacca, paying €20.9m plus €3m in bonuses, and he flourished.

FLORENCE, ITALY – JUNE 08: Mateo Retegui of Italy poses for a portrait during the Italy portrait session ahead of the UEFA EURO 2024 Germany at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on June 08, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

The striker became the Serie A Capocannoniere with 25 goals in 36 games, which earned him the interest of Al Qadsiah.

It remains to be seen how this move to the Saudi Pro League will affect his standing in the Italy side, especially under new coach Gennaro Gattuso.