“Striker Once Offered to Leeds United Now Set for £40m Move to Arsenal After Scoring 14 Goals in 22 Games”

Back in early April 2023, Leeds United were sitting just two points above the Premier League relegation zone with 30 games played, and their survival hopes were looking solid under Javi Gracia. After crucial wins against Wolves and Nottingham Forest, things seemed to be going well for Leeds, despite a loss to Arsenal. However, everything came crashing down on April 9 when they were demolished 5-1 by Crystal Palace, a result that left them in a precarious position.

Fast forward to now, and the striker Leeds were once offered back in 2023 is catching the attention of Arsenal, with a reported £40m move on the cards after an impressive run of 14 goals in 22 appearances. The striker’s meteoric rise has certainly turned heads, and Leeds’ failure to secure his signature could now cost them as a top Premier League club looks set to swoop in.

That heavy defeat at Elland Road to Crystal Palace marked the beginning of a disastrous run for Leeds United, as they suffered six more defeats in their next eight Premier League matches. This dreadful form ultimately led to the club’s relegation and the sacking of Javi Gracia, who was replaced by Sam Allardyce in a last-ditch attempt to stave off the drop.

Despite the turmoil that followed, there was a brief period when Leeds fans held onto hope for survival. Victories against Nottingham Forest and Wolves made supporters believe that the club could stay in the Premier League, and plans were even made to strengthen the squad for the following season. However, the collapse in form left Leeds with too much to do, and the dream of top-flight football was shattered as they dropped down to the Championship.

“Leeds Were Offered Mateo Retegui in 2023 – Now Arsenal Eye £40m Move After Striker’s Stunning Form”

After Leeds United secured a crucial win over Nottingham Forest in April 2023, reports emerged that the club was offered the chance to sign Mateo Retegui, an Argentine international. The striker, who had been linked with a move to Elland Road, eventually joined Genoa from Tigre that summer. Fast forward a year, and Retegui’s performances have earned him a move to Atalanta, who paid £20m for his services after he netted nine goals in 31 appearances for Genoa.

Since joining Atalanta, Retegui’s form has been nothing short of sensational, scoring 14 goals in 22 games, including two in the Champions League. His recent performances, despite missing a crucial chance against Real Madrid, have caught the eye of top clubs, with Arsenal now reportedly monitoring him closely. According to CalcioMercato, Arsenal scouts have been dispatched to watch the striker, with Atalanta reportedly setting a £40m price tag for the Argentine hitman. It’s a meteoric rise for a player who could have been playing in the Premier League for Leeds, had circumstances turned out differently.

Leeds spent more on Joel Piroe than Mateo Retegui in 2023, but the reality of relegation meant the club was never going to secure a player of Retegui’s calibre.

In 2023, Leeds United signed Dutch striker Joel Piroe from Swansea City for a reported £12.6 million, but the move came under very different circumstances. With Leeds relegated to the Championship 18 months ago, any hopes of bringing in a player like Mateo Retegui were extinguished. Retegui, who had impressed with 35 goals in 70 games for Tigre, would likely have only considered a move to a top-tier club. In fact, his talent caught the attention of Serie A side Genoa, and after a year there, he moved to Atalanta, where his stock has only risen further.

While Piroe’s signing could be seen as a necessary reinforcement for Leeds’ Championship campaign, the club’s relegation meant they were forced to focus on more attainable, yet still promising, targets. In contrast, Retegui’s continued rise has made his price tag soar to £40m, with top Premier League clubs like Arsenal now reportedly interested. A stark reminder of how relegation can affect a club’s transfer ambitions.

Genoa secured Mateo Retegui for £13 million in the summer of 2023, a move that cost them £3 million less than Leeds United’s acquisition of Joel Piroe from Swansea. Leeds agreed an initial £10.5 million fee for Piroe, a deal that could rise to £16 million with add-ons. While both signings were considered valuable at the time, Leeds’ relegation to the Championship meant they had to focus on more affordable options, whereas Genoa were able to secure Retegui, who had previously impressed in Argentina’s top division with Tigre.

Now, with Retegui’s impressive form at Atalanta, including 14 goals in 22 games, his value has skyrocketed to £40 million, attracting the attention of top clubs like Arsenal. It’s a reminder of how relegation can affect a club’s transfer strategy and how signing opportunities can evolve when clubs return to the Premier League.

Since joining Leeds United, Joel Piroe has impressed with 21 goals in the Championship, proving his worth in the second tier. However, Mateo Retegui has arguably made the bigger impact. After moving from Tigre to Genoa and then to Atalanta, Retegui has netted 23 goals, including strikes in Serie A and the Champions League. His performances in Europe’s top competition have elevated his profile, making him a standout talent.

While Piroe has been solid for Leeds in their bid to bounce back to the Premier League, Retegui’s all-around contributions, especially at the higher level of Serie A and in the Champions League, have made him the more attractive option. His goal-scoring record in Italy, paired with his European exploits, solidifies the argument that Retegui has been the better signing between the two, despite Piroe’s strong showing in England’s second division.