Italian Serie A side Atalanta have turned their sights towards Nigeria international Tolu Arokodare as a potential reinforcement in attack following the departure of star striker Mateo Retegui, with multiple Italian outlets reporting growing interest in the Genk forward.

According to Tutto Atalanta, the Bergamo club have begun their search for a capable successor to Retegui, who was recently sold to a club in Saudi Arabia in what the outlet described as a “record exit” that brought in nearly three times the €22m Atalanta originally spent on the Italo-Argentine striker.

While Napoli’s Giacomo Raspadori and Lecce’s Nikola Krstovic remain on the club’s radar, the Italian outlet reported that Arokodare is a “concrete option” under active consideration.

The 23-year-old, who emerged as top scorer in the 2024/25 Belgian Pro League season, is said to be valued around €20m, a figure “certainly within reach” for Atalanta.

Described as physically strong and clinical in front of goal, Arokodare has also reportedly attracted interest from AC Milan, but Atalanta’s long-standing emphasis on scouting across Europe may put them in a favourable position.

The Nigerian striker scored 21 goals for Genk last season across the regular campaign and play-offs, firing his team to a UEFA Europa League spot in the process.

Prima Bergamo, another Bergamo-based outlet, noted that Arokodare’s name may not dominate headlines like more high-profile targets, but stressed he is “a profile that must be monitored and considered” due to his size, goalscoring instinct and familiarity with top-level European football.

Standing at 197 centimetres, Arokodare is seen as a striker who could complement Gianluca Scamacca in attack. With El Bilal Touré also returning from loan, Atalanta are understood to be keen on adding a forward who provides both depth and future potential, particularly in view of upcoming international commitments like the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Arokodare is potentially expected to feature for Nigeria alongside wantaway Ademola Lookman.

Prima Bergamo added that “the Belgian league is a well-organised and technically sound competition”, and Arokodare’s success there should not be underestimated.

The publication highlighted that Atalanta’s scouting department remains “very attentive” and is unlikely to overlook a talent of his calibre, especially as he fits the club’s typical model of nurturing physically and tactically astute players.