Santiago Gimenez urged ‘not to leave’ as Manchester United eye new striker

Add as preferred source on Google

Head coach Arne Slot believes Santiago Gimenez should stay at Eredivisie leaders Feyenoord as Manchester United cast their eye over the Mexico international. 

Slot, one of Europe’s most coveted young tacticians, is not the only man facing an uncertain future at De Kuip beyond this summer.

Manchester United scouted Feyenoord captain Orkun Kokcu and their top scorer Gimenez during the recent KNVB cup clash with Klassiker rivals Ajax, according to The Mirror.

But while Kokcu has spent his entire professional career in red, white and black, Gimenez is still a relative newcomer on Dutch soil. The 21-year-old striker only joined in July 2022 from Cruz Azul.

And, despite marking his debut campaign with 18 goals in all competitions, Slot believes that Gimenez must still learn to swim before he moves on again to a bigger pond.

Will Manchester United move for two Feyenoord stars?

“I will advise him not to leave,” Slot tells 1908. “So that he can develop even further with us.”

Victor Osimhen, Harry Kane, Goncalo Ramos and co remain at the very top of Manchester United’s striker wishlist. Ten Hag, however, is also scouring the market for more affordable options. Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund, for instance.

Gimenez, valued at around £23 million, would cost a mere fraction of the fee required to take Kane away from Tottenham Hotspur. But if the latter is the finished article, the former is anything but.

“Of course, he can do much more than he is showing now,” Slot adds. “He has just been with us for half a year, on a different continent and in a different league. It wouldn’t be good if a 21-year-old player was already at his peak.

“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.”

Ten Hag has made excellent use of the Eredivisie market since taking over at Old Trafford. Antony and Lisandro Martinez are already regular starters. Tyrell Malacia has proven to be excellent value for money too since arriving from, yes, Feyenoord.