The agent of Santiago Gimenez insists he will not be going anywhere for less than 20 million euros amid reports linking the Feyenoord striker with Premier League giants Manchester United.
The Mexico international is certainly not Erik ten Hag’s first-choice. He’s not the second either, or even the third or fourth.
But with Manchester United running headfirst into obstacles in their respective pursuits of Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, Randal Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos and Rasmus Hojlund, do not be surprised to see Santiago Gimenez’s name return to the gossip columns as Ten Hag’s options are restricted by the limitations of his budget.
Manchester United like Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez
According to The Mirror, United sent scouts to watch both Gimenez and former Feyenoord captain Orkun Kokcu – now of Benfica – late last season.
An instinctive penalty-box poacher; Gimenez is comfortably the most affordable of all United’s striker targets, even if Feyenoord have no plans to accept any offers below the £20 million mark for a man with just one season of European football under his belt.
“Santiago is in the sights of many clubs, not just Lazio,” agent Matias Bunge tells Sport Italia, confirming interest from Maurizio Sarri’s Serie A runners-up.
“He has a great goalscoring nose. With his qualities and physical characteristics, I think he would stand out in Italy and could do well there
“For this amount (20 million euros or £17 million) he will not be able to leave Feyenoord. And the idea is that he stays for at least one more season in the Netherlands.”
22-year-old Gimenez scored 23 goals as Feyenoord won the Eredivisie for only the second time in the 21st century last season. United have made good use of Erik ten Hag’s Netherlands connections since hiring the former Ajax boss last year; Andre Onana potentially reuniting with Lisandro Martinez and Antony at Old Trafford.
“I will advise him not to leave,” Feyenoord boss Arne Slot tells 1908. “So that he can develop even further with us.”
“Of course, he can do much more than he is showing now. He has just been with us for half a year, on a different continent and in a different league.
“Santiago is now very much a finisher, but we are working on making him as complete as possible. We first tried to get him fitter and I think it worked out pretty well; he also lasts longer and longer (in games).
“Now, we are not only trying to make him an all-rounder. But also (we want) to make better use of his qualities as an attacker.”
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