Latest developments
- Arsenal eyeing a move for a striker in January
- The Gunners consider Atalanta's Mateo Retegui
- In-form striker could be allowed to leave for €50m
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3/5): Reputed but reliability can be questioned
Arsenal are looking to sign a striker in the winter amid their struggles to get results in the Premier League and Champions League. The Gunners have been linked with Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres; however, amid reports of the striker's heavy price tag, Mikel Arteta's side is now shifting their focus towards Atalanta striker Retegui, who has been in ecstatic form in Serie A.
CaughtOffside are a reputed source in world football, however, their reports need to be taken with a pinch of salt as their track record happens to be hot or cold.
Value (4/5): Arsenal could solve their issues with just €50m
The transfer fee mentioned in the report is €50 million (£41.5m), however, the fee is not a release clause but the source's prediction of what it will take to pry Retegui away from Atalanta this winter. Arsenal continue to show an interest in Sporting's Gyokeres, however, the Swede is likely to cost over £70 million (€85m). Therefore, the Gunners have identified Retegui as a low-cost alternative to solve their issues this season.
The Premier League side will not find a better deal for a striker this winter as very few clubs would be willing to sell their main strikers in the January transfer window.
Suitability (4/5): Arsenal need a proper striker
Arsenal are one of the only clubs in the Premier League who have been playing without a recognized striker in the lineup despite having a number nine position in their tactics. Currently, Kai Havertz, who is a natural attacking midfielder, has been taking up the spot of the striker. However, the German international does not have the traits and the movement in the box that a striker needs to threaten defenders.
As such, having a striker like Retegui would instantaneously improve Arteta's side going forward and give the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli the freedom to operate without constantly having to bombard the box.
Upgrade? (5/5): Havertz and Jesus are a thing of the past
Gabriel Jesus may be a natural striker, and the only one in the Arsenal squad, however, the Brazilian has not shown even a small glimpse of reaching the form he showed previously at Manchester City. Havertz, on the other hand, may be a talented player albeit extremely inconsistent; he is not a natural striker and it shows on the field as he can be seen missing link-ups with the wingers in the box and is rarely the player to make a run to the back post as strikers do.
As such, Retegui will bring a fresh change to Arteta's erratic squad that seems to be more for show than function. Saka needs a striker to unlock his true potential as the England international possesses the skill to take on his player on the wing and find the free man in the box, however, that is simply not possible with the static Havertz.
Logic (4.5/5): Retegui's big move to put Arsenal back on the map
Retegui only joined Atalanta earlier this year from Genoa for a reported fee of €22 million (£18.3m) and has immediately put himself in the crosshairs of big clubs due to his instantaneous show of form for La Dea. This could be a quick progression for the Italian striker, considering his stocks will see a massive boost in the Premier League. For Arsenal, signing a striker is a no-brainer.
Whisper+ final verdict – 20.5/25
Retegui to Arsenal will be a very beneficial transfer for all the parties involved. The Gunners will get a proper striker in their squad as they look to make a comeback in the Premier League title race, Retegui will get the fame and wages that a striker of his stature deserves. Meanwhile, Atalanta will receive a very good chunk of money, more than double of what they paid to Genoa just a few months ago.
