Santiago Gimenez’s name was heavily featured in the AC Milan mercato talk in the summer, however, nothing became concrete. Now, that talk has been revived.
The first six months of the Serie A season have proved numerous things for Milan, though perhaps, the biggest issue has been the lack of goals. In the summer, Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, Gimenez and Joshua Zirkzee were rumoured, but instead, the Rossoneri went down a different direction.
At the end of the window, Milan were left with Alvaro Morata, Tammy Abraham and Luka Jovic. Of course, Francesco Camarda also has remained in the background, but it would not be fair to associate him in the same category.
Due to the lack of goals from that frontline, the Diavolo have realised the need for a striker, and after attempts for Marcus Rashford failed, there have been reports about the possibility of Santi Gimenez.
In a column for Milan News, Antonio Vitiello revealed what the situation regarding Gimenez currently looks like and what must happen for the Mexican to join the club.
“A need underestimated over time that, now, can no longer be postponed. AC Milan are on the hunt for a real striker, a real number nine, a goal-scorer capable of throwing it in even when the games get sticky and dirty.
“Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez, already sounded out in the summer, is a name that has never left Milan’s radar.
“Milan already tried to sign him at the end of the summer transfer market, just as they did an enquiry for Victor Osimhen, who then ended up at Galatasaray, but they had neither the time nor the financial strength to sink their teeth into the Mexican (with Italian passport) who plays for the Dutch side.
“A first forward who has been missing at Milanello for a long time, perhaps too long, and who is needed regardless of who is on the bench. Even in these days, his profile is reported as hot in the control room of Casa Milan, but with the due difficulties of the case.
“The first difficulty is related to Feyenoord’s desire not to deprive themselves of their bomber in this market window. 13 seasonal goals in 17 matches played are a good haul for Gimenez, who aims to finish above 20 goals this season as well.
“The Dutch, for now, are firm on ‘no’ to an immediate departure, but in the market what is unlikely today can become possible when certain situations occur.
“The first, and fundamental, is that AC Milan cash in and free up wage space for Gimenez, and from this point of view they are looking at the offers that may arrive for Emerson Royal and Pavlovic, with the need to sell outright or on loan with a buy-back obligation. Noah Okafor is also for sale, as is Luka Jovic.
“Gimenez convinces everyone: from Conceiçao to Moncada to Ibrahimovic and Furlani, with the latter called upon to really make ends meet. It will not be easy, because there are many joints, but the need is there and the risk of not going to the Champions League could be much more ‘costly’ and damaging than a lack of investment in a crucial role.”
I don’t know why we are sleeping on Jonathan David from Lille – get him on a free next summer and we will have him alongside Morata and Camarda or pay a small fee (10-15mil) which is what we usually spend on players anyway to bring him now and we might fix the striker position! He is supposed to be coming into his prime age – would definitely be a step up from Lille and we should have a good relationship with Lille considering we brought mike and leao from them!
Side note – if we get Gimenez, does he count as one of the Italian spots considering he has an Italian passport?
I think the feeling is David is too short.
Yes, I think he would count as Italian.
To clarify. if you mean for UEFA squadlists the requirement isn’t “italian” it’s 4x “league trained” and 4x “academy product”
The first one means he spent his early years (i believe it’s 18 to 21yrs?) in a serie A / B team, and the second means he spent the same time coming through Milans academy.
Naturally most players coming through in serie A would be Italian, hence the confusion. But it also means someone like Franck Kessie who isn’t Italian, counted in these categories, as he spent his younger years at Atalanta.
So gimenez , even with Italian citizenship would take up a normal squad spot in UEFA competition, ie we’d need to free up a place for example removing Okafor.
Hope that made sense sorry typed in a rush
David is being courted by the PL. I’m guessing his “entourage” is looking at like 10M per season. We can’t afford that, even without a transfer fee. Hence why David isn’t being talked about.
Let’s be honest. Milan will never buy expensive players. We will most likely end up with another random player or some famous bench warmer who already past his prime
Jonathan David is literally on a free…
I’m Canadian, so I know Jonathan “iceman” David well!
Although he’s on a free I think the idea is that he would ask for a higher salary then normal because he is free. Basically saying hey, you didn’t have to spend 35 million to acquire me so give me half on top of my regular wages and we are good!!
Scoring goals in the Dutch league is not the same as serie A.
Ginenez 7 goals this season in a far weaker league, as comparison Lucca 7 goals this season but in serie A, thus making him more reliable for serie A ?? So why are we chasing the more expensive and less proven foreigner??
Exactly. It’s one thing to score goals in Eredivisie than come to Serie A and get double digits. Sooooooooooooooo many have failed.
100% mind boggling. I’d also look at Santiago Castro, the Lautaro 2.0 currently playing for Bologna. Bring him AND Sartori.
I don’t think he is good enough to be a starting n9 of Ac Milan. His stats are good but not that impressive in a minor league. I don’t see enough raw talent. I would rather make a bet on a player like Rasmus Hoillund in January. But we need to go big and try to buy a potential top striker.
I dont understand these managemant really.. They want to spend much money on him?
Why?
Why not spend more and get Oshimen who is worldclass, know seria A, know the pressure…
Oshimen is a safe bet, this guy is 50/50..
Like this will actually happen??? LOLOLO. Keep dreaming kids
Yup have to spend 40M plus for him amd we are owned by Redbird…so keep dreaming 😴 lol
didnt we sign Morata to be that player? LOL.
Jokes aside Gimenez is a good player but no club is going to weaken themselves mid season without us pay a premium transfer for that disadvantage. Thus, its unlikely he will be signed because we dont spend that sort of money. Rather we window shop for rejects or hypothetical opportunities.
Is this a joke!?!?!? How are we agreeing to sign this guy to lead our line???
He is like a Retegui but 10x worse.
People saying that scoring goals in the Netherlands is overrated should really learn a lesson, given that most faboulus strikers are born in that league. Been watching Giménez for quite some time, and he would be a fantastic signing. Dont think it will happen though, as his talent is way to big for Serie A.
Little help for the people wondering why Gimenez and not Lucca. Gimenez has played 7 UCL games so far scoring 4 goals , Lucca has an astounding number of 0 UCL games played. Lucca played the Eredivisie as well, btw, 22/23. He scored 2 goals. Gimenez scored 15 goals in that same season. Gimenez Eredivisie stats during his 3 seasons there so far are much better than Lucca’s Eredivisie adventure, actually (15 goals, 23 goals and 7 goals so far). Oh, and Gimenez has plenty of international games played with his national team, far more than Lucca. Also Gimenez is one year younger than Lucca and tbh at top level if you’re 24 years old and you have 0 UCL games in your resume, well let’s just say that’s not going to take you far. Lastly, ask yourself in terms of pressure, history, context etc, which club is closer to being a big club, Feyenoord or Udinese/Pisa?? Use your common sense for the rest and draw your own conclusions!
And now they start panicking. As the chance of missing out on UCL’S money is really on the horizon now.
This will just end up as the new Zirkzee, his agent and Feyenoord would much prefer him to go to a mid table English club and the examples of Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest this year will just make that even more attractive. He’s become too big a name now to be one Milan can aspire to