It is common in any team that not all the signings that are rumored end up becoming a reality, something that also happens with Atlético de Madrid. Normally, the sports management has different names for each position when having various plans to strengthen the team. Almost two years ago, they closely monitored a young South American forward who promised to become a great scorer in Europe.
In fact, he has taken very little time to achieve it, emerging as one of the great revelations of this season both in Italian football and in the Champions League. Obviously, his market value has continued to grow and he is already starting to be in the spotlight of very powerful clubs on the continent. However, in 2023 he had everything agreed to join the colchonero team, although there wasn't enough financial margin to achieve it.
Mateo Retegui, the surprise of the season
The Italian international is experiencing the best campaign of his short career, being the attacking reference for Atalanta in their fight for the Scudetto. He arrived in Europe with Genoa for 15 million euros (16.5 million dollars), needing only one season to show his full level. The Bergamo team acquired him last summer for 20 million euros (22 million dollars), becoming the reference in the attack.
He has scored 19 goals this season, earning many praises not only in Italy but also in the Champions League for his good level. He is also an international with the Italian national team, which he chose over Argentina, as he held both nationalities. However, he was very close to having chosen another path, as his signing for Atlético de Madridwas practically closed in 2023.
A frustrated signing
That summer, the red-and-white team needed to make a radical change to a team that hadn't met expectations in any competition. Atlético de Madrid was eliminated from the Champions League in the group stage after finishing last in a group that seemed much more manageable. However, they didn't achieve the necessary departures in that market and couldn't finalize the arrival of Mateo Retegui, something his father confirmed.
At that time, he stated that everything was set for his son to land at the Metropolitano, but there wasn't enough financial margin. Therefore, he would be forced to choose the option of Genoa, where Giovanni Simeone, Cholo's eldest son, had already performed well. Now, his name is being mentioned for big teams like Arsenal, as he has demonstrated all his scoring potential in a very demanding competition.