'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAv/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAyOSNf//EACAQAAICAQMFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAgQRAAUSBhMVITH/2gAIAQEAAT8AV1iFN43qvmO0IrU22cSVAEHjHGrO5sfYa6Nbb1hkzMQgG4jk/B71/8QAFhEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIA/9oACAECAQE/ACJV3//EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE//aAAgBAwEBPwCjH//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Premier League giants Arsenal are keen on signing Italian frontman Mateo Retegui as per latest reports. The 25-year-old joined Atalanta BC from Genoa in August for a reported transfer price of €22 million (via Transfermarkt).
Retegui has been firing on all cylinders since joining La Dea, who are currently Serie A table-toppers with 40 points. The 25-year-old is the leading goalscorer in the league with 12 goals and three assists in 17 games. He also scored a brace in Atalanta BC's 6-1 thrashing of BSC Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League on November 26 at Wankdorf Stadium.
As per a report by Tribal Football, the Gunners are interested in signing Retegui this January to bolster their frontline. They were previously interested in Newcastle United's Alexander Isak and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres but have now turned their attention towards the Italian. Arsenal's scouts were even present at the Wankdorf Stadium when Retegui scored the first-half brace (9', and 39') to seal the win for his side.
Trending
As of now, Arsenal's only two centre-forward options are Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. However, both have underperformed with Jesus registering just six goals and a couple of assists in 22 games across competitions this season. Havertz, meanwhile, has recorded 11 goals and three assists in 24 games.
At present, the Gunners are third in the Premier League table with 33 points in 17 games. They would need to reinforce their attack if they want to go past Chelsea (35) and Liverpool (39).
Mikel Arteta provides update on Arsenal's transfer plans ahead of the January transfer window
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hinted at January additions to the squad if the right player is available. The Gunners were active in the summer transfer window, signing Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino and acquiring Raheem Sterling and Neto on loan.
In a press conference on Monday (via Tribal Football), the Spanish tactician talked about his transfer targets while emphasizing that he fully trusts his side.
"I fully trust the squad and our players and the amount of situations and things we generate in the match, how little we concede. I fully trust my players," said Arteta.
When asked about the side's transfer plans in January, he said:
"It will depend on what player it is, the value of that player, if there are any other movements in the squad or not, so it’s very difficult to answer."
The 42-year-old concluded:
"We have managed the squad in the best possible way to make sure everybody is fit and available, feels part of it and is ready when the team needs them. If we have to make changes, I’m sure that the boys who come in will have that and others will have to play as well because of the numbers."
Arsenal will face Ipswich Town in their last game of the year on December 27 at the Emirates Stadium.
