Milan Back Chasing Retegui: Tare's Agent Chat Sparks Summer Striker Buzz

Picture this: you're at the San Siro, dreaming of a proper No.9 who can bang 'em in like prime Shevchenko. Well, AC Milan might just be dusting off that dream with Mateo Retegui back in the frame. As reported by Lorenzo Bettoni at Football Italia, sporting director Igli Tare has already had a chinwag with one of the Italian hitman's agents.

It's not the first time Retegui has tickled Milan's fancy – they sniffed around last summer before he jetted off to Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia for a whopping €70m from Atalanta. Now, with the Rossoneri plotting for 2026-27, he's top of the shopping list again.

Tare's Transfer Tango Heats Up

Tare reportedly sat down with Alessandro Moggi, part of Retegui's camp, according to Tuttosport. The Devils aren't sold on making Niclas Füllkrug's loan permanent, so eyes are wandering. Enter Retegui, who's been on fire in the desert – 15 goals in 25 games this season.

And get this: the lad's pulling on the Italy shirt too, topping the Azzurri's charts under new gaffer Gennaro Gattuso. Remember that scrap in Tallinn against Estonia? Or battling Sander Berge at the San Siro? He's got that international pedigree Milan crave.

But here's the pub-grab pint spiller: wages. Retegui's on a juicy €16m a year in Saudi. Milan might dangle €5m per season until 2031 – a proper pay cut. Would he swap oil money for Devil red? That's the million-euro question.

Price Tag and Plan B Drama

Al-Qadsiah aren't daft – they're holding out for €45-50m. Fair play, given his form. Milan's not putting all eggs in one basket, mind. Moise Kean from Fiorentina is lurking on the wishlist too, another Serie A sharpshooter who could fit the bill.

It's classic transfer window madness: agents buzzing, salaries slashed, and fans frothing. Imagine Retegui linking up with Pulisic and Leão – nightmares for defences everywhere. Or is this just another summer tease?

Tare's moves scream ambition. Post-Maldini era, Milan's been striker-shy – Morata flopped, Abraham's a question mark. Retegui, with his hold-up play and poacher's nose, feels like the missing piece. Saudi stint's bulked him up, and Gattuso's Italy call-ups prove he's still got it.

Why Retegui Fits the Bill (And Why He Might Not)

Pros? He's 28, prime age, Serie A proven, and that Italy link adds swagger. He's got 15 Saudi strikes already – not bad for adaptation. Cons? That wage drop's brutal, and Saudi clubs love flexing cash.

Kean as backup? The ex-Juve lad's tearing it up at Fiorentina – pace, power, penalties. But Milan's glass-half-full fans will hope Retegui bites. Tuttosport reckons it's early days, but Tare's meeting says intent.

So, over your next pint, chew on this: Milan's striker hunt is alive, Retegui's the hot name, but salary shenanigans could scupper it. Stay tuned – transfer season's about to get properly mental.