Manchester United preparing £61 million offer for “lethal” Italy international

Italy's Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean. (REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo)

It’s been another frustrating campaign for Manchester United under Rúben Amorim.

Under the Portuguese boss – who boasts the worst win percentage of any permanent manager this century – the club has won three of their seven Premier League games this term, drawing one, and losing the other three.

Despite a slight improvement on last season, United still sit 10th in the Premier League, miles off their historic standards — and with a brutal run of fixtures ahead, pressure is mounting fast.

Goals remain a glaring issue.

Despite a major summer overhaul that saw Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Šeško, and Matheus Cunha arrive for big money, the trio have combined for just three Premier League goals — a return far below expectations.

Now, it appears Amorim wants to double down on his attacking rebuild by bringing in yet another proven finisher.

According to a new report from Tuttosport, Manchester United are weighing up a £61 million bid to sign Italy international Mateo Retegui from Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah.

The 25-year-old striker moved to the Gulf state in the summer following a prolific spell in Serie A, where he finished as top scorer with 25 goals for Atalanta.

Since his switch to the Saudi Pro League, Retegui has continued his rich vein of form, netting three goals in his first four appearances.

Labelled as “lethal” for his ruthless finishing and movement inside the box, the Italian has also been on fire for his national team, scoring five times in six matches for Italy in 2025.

Reports suggest United are ready to match the £61 million Al Qadsiah paid for him, viewing Retegui as a potential solution to their chronic lack of goals.

However, given the club’s ongoing struggles — both on the pitch and financially — committing another massive fee to yet another forward could raise serious questions about the direction of Amorim’s rebuild.

For a side already misfiring in attack, splashing out again on an expensive striker might be more desperation than design.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.