Feyenoord are confident star striker Santiago Gimenez will not leave during the January transfer window and have set a lofty asking price amid widespread interest in his services, sources have confirmed to 90min.
Gimenez has taken Europe by storm since leaving Cruz Azul in his native Mexico for Feyenoord in the summer of 2022, scoring 23 goals across all competitions in his debut season for the Rotterdam side to help them win a first Eredivisie title in six years.
That stunning form has extended into the 2023/24 campaign, with the 22-year-old netting 15 times in just 11 games so far this term, most recently grabbing a brace in an authoritative 3-1 win against Lazio in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Understandably, Gimenez’s performances have grabbed the attention of Europe’s major clubs. In an interview with TuttoMercatoWeb this week, FIFA intermediary Morris Pagniello claimed that Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur are currently in pole position to sign him next summer. However, Pagniello crucially does not represent Gimenez on an official basis – his father takes up that role.
90min understands Real Madrid have indeed been watching over Gimenez, but he is not considered a key target at this stage. Los Blancos have high hopes for Palmeiras teenager Endrick once he completes his move to Spain, while signing Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain is their priority.
In terms of cash deals, it looks more likely at this stage that Real Madrid will target Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, with Carlo Ancelotti’s squad looking thin in the full-back areas.
Tottenham indeed also hold an interest in Gimenez, but they are not the only English club monitoring the Mexican. 90min understands Arsenal and Chelsea have too watched him in recent weeks, though every major Premier League side has scouted him already this season and all have been impressed.
Inter have also kept tabs on Gimenez but are likely to be priced out of a move, and the general feeling across Europe is that Feyenoord’s prohibitive asking price will determine that the striker’s next club will be in England.
Sources have told 90min that Feyenoord are reluctant sellers though recognise every player has his price. In order to buy Gimenez, interested clubs will have to stump up an Eredivisie-record sum, which currently stands at the £87m (€100m) fee paid by Manchester United for Antony.
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