Aston Villa are interested in Boca Juniors star Mateo Retegui this summer
According to TNT Sports Argentina via Twitter, Premier League side Aston Villa are interested in the services of Boca Juniors star Mateo Retegui in the ongoing summer transfer window.
The 24-year-old came through the ranks at River Plate before joining Boca in the year 2018. He made his senior debut for the latter in 2018 and has since enjoyed three different spells out on loan since 2019.
Despite representing the Argentina youth side at the international level, Retegui’s Italian roots saw him earn a senior call-up for the Azzurri in 2023. He scored on his debut against England before going on to repeat the trick in the second game against Malta. In that process, he became the first Italian star since Pierino Prati in 1968 to find the net in his first two international games.
Meanwhile, the player has found the back of the net 12 times across all competitions this season. And Retegui’s performances at both club and international levels has caught the eye of several European clubs this summer. Italian side Genoa are in the driving seat for his signature. But Aston Villa could yet play spoilsport in the last minute.
🚨💰 SITUACIÓN DE MATEO RETEGUI
Con Genoa está TODO ARREGLADO y solo falta la firma. Sin embargo, NO se concreta el pase porque el el entorno del delantero espera que Aston Villa oferte por MÁS DINERO.
▶️ El jugador preferiría ir a la Premier League.
ℹ️ @marcosbonocore pic.twitter.com/T9PV6asQ0Y
— TNT Sports Argentina (@TNTSportsAR) July 20, 2023
Unai Emery’s side are interested in the Italian ace, and his entourage believes the English side can make a financially better offer than the Serie A team. Whether that faith will be rewarded in the coming weeks is debatable.
The Midlands-based side have enjoyed a fine summer transfer window and have signed Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans to strengthen their defence and midfield respectively. They have also reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for Moussa Diaby, who will add more bite to the attack.
Ollie Watkins is Aston Villa’s first choice centre forward. But the club lack a reliable alternative to the English international. They are yet to replace Danny Ings, who left the club last January. So Retegui would be a solid addition.
The Italian’s style is well suited to Emery’s counter-attacking style and playing in the Premier League will elevate his standing in the game. A solid finisher who is also adept in the air, Retegui has the tools needed to thrive under Emery.
For now, the onus is on Villa to make their move. But given their investment in the summer transfer window so far, it remains to be seen if they are willing to enter the race for Retegui. The 24-year-old Italian international remains an intriguing target for Aston Villa.
