Atletico Madrid, Inter, interested in 'next Batistuta'

Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan have registered interest in Italy international Mateo Retegui, who has been compared to Argentine great, Gabriel Batistuta by the Azzurri manager, Roberto Mancini.

Retegui is currently on loan at Mexican side Tigre from Boca Juniors, and he recently made his debut for Italy, where he scored the only goal in the defeat against England.  

Spanish publication Relevo reports strong interest from Italy and Spain for Retegui, with Inter and Atletico Madrid said to be interested in his service.

Atletico Madrid have already made initial contacts, according to the report, expressing their intent, and the player is said to be open to a move to the Spanish capital.

The 23-year-old has an interesting profile, an Argentine-Italian who rose through the ranks in Argentine football. 

The striker was said to have desired to play for his country of birth, Argentina, having represented the Albiceleste in the u-19 and u-20 levels, but with Lionel Scaloni not calling him up, Retegui accepted the proposal from Roberto Mancini to play for Italy, the country of his grandfather. 

Mancini was full of praise for Retegui, who somewhat rewarded the 58-year-old's faith in him by scoring the only goal in Italy's 2-1 defeat to England, kick-starting a failed comeback. 

The Italian gaffer told reporters before the match that Retegui has qualities not previously available to the Italy squad, even saying he had qualities like Batistuta.

"We’ve been following Retegui for a while," Mancini revealed, per AS.

"He’s been playing regularly in the Argentine league for two seasons. He has qualities that we currently lack.

“I can say that he looks like Batistuta when he arrived in Italy. He may need some time to get comfortable, but it won’t be long. He is very smart.“

Italy will face Malta tomorrow in the second game of their qualifying campaign, and the European Champions will look to right the wrongs of their first game against England as they continue the journey towards defending their title.