Santiago Gimenez, the gifted Mexican striker and USMNT star Christian Pulisic’s worldwide rival, was closely linked with a transfer to AC Milan in the course of the summer time switch window. Nonetheless, regardless of the excitement, no deal materialized. Now, as Milan appears to be like to bolster their attacking choices midseason, Gimenez’s identify has resurfaced within the winter switch market discussions. However there’s a twist—Milan’s pursuit of the Feyenoord ahead hinges on a fancy set of situations.
The Rossoneri have been on a quest for a dependable striker to deal with their obtrusive lack of objectives this season. Regardless of being linked with high-profile names like Marcus Rashford and Joao Felix, monetary constraints have pressured the Rossoneri to contemplate various targets. Santiago Gimenez, together with his constant goalscoring document at Feyenoord, has emerged as the first choice.
“A necessity underestimated over time that, now, can not be postponed,” defined Italian journalist Antonio Vitiello in a column for Milan Information. “Milan are on the hunt for an actual striker—a goalscorer able to delivering even in robust matches.”
Gimenez’s spectacular numbers make him an interesting alternative. Since becoming a member of Feyenoord in 2022, the 23-year-old has netted 13 objectives in 17 matches this season and boasts a profession common of 0.59 objectives per match in Europe.
The catch: Funding the switch
Whereas Gimenez matches Milan’s profile for a much-needed goalscorer, buying him gained’t be easy. The Eredivisie facet has expressed reluctance to promote their star ahead midseason, demanding a hefty €40 million switch payment. For the Italian large, assembly this valuation requires cautious monetary maneuvering.
In keeping with stories from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan’s skill to bid for Gimenez relies on offloading two gamers—Emerson Royal and Strahinja Pavlovic. The Serbian defender Pavlovic has drawn curiosity from a number of golf equipment, together with Fenerbahce, which has tabled a €20 million provide. In the meantime, Emerson Royal, who joined Milan from Tottenham for €15 million, is being courted by Galatasaray and Fulham.
The San Siro outfit hopes these gross sales will liberate funds and wage house to launch a bid for the 23-year-old Mexican. If the gross sales don’t materialize, the Rossoneri might must accept a extra economical various, comparable to a mortgage deal for a striker like Chelsea’s Joao Felix or Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United.
Why Gimenez is the best goal
Milan’s renewed curiosity in Gimenez stems from the membership’s perception in his skill to thrive in Serie A. With an Italian passport and confirmed adaptability, the ahead has obtained endorsements from key figures at Milan, together with CEO Giorgio Furlani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“Gimenez convinces everybody, from [coach] Sergio Conceicao to Moncada and Furlani,” Vitiello famous. “His arrival might resolve an issue that has continued at Milanello for a lot too lengthy.”
Past his goalscoring prowess, Gimenez has additionally distinguished himself as a whole participant. In simply 100 European appearances, he has notched 59 objectives and 14 assists, outperforming legendary Mexican forwards like Hugo Sanchez and Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez in comparable levels of their careers.
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