Mateo Retegui, top scorer in Italy’s Serie A last season, has joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah from Atalanta.
Italian media reports Al-Qadsiah have paid more than £56m for the 26-year-old striker, who has signed a four-year contract.
The fee would make Retegui the most expensive Italian player of all time, beating Sandro Tonali’s £55m move to Newcastle from AC Milan in 2023.
Retegui, who was born in Argentina but represents Italy, signed for Atalanta last summer from Genoa and scored 25 league goals in 36 appearances as they finished third.
He made his debut for Italy in 2023, scoring in a 2-1 defeat by England, and has scored six goals for his country in 20 games.
“The Percassi family, the Pagliuca family and the entire Nerazzurri club sincerely thank Mateo for the extraordinary contribution he made last season and wish him the best for the continuation of his sporting career and for his future,” Atalanta said.
Al-Qadsiah finished fourth in the Saudi Pro League last season.
Retegui will replace former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the Saudi Arabian club.
The 36-year-old Gabon international left Al-Qadsiah last week and is reportedly close to signing for French Ligue 1 club Marseille.
