SOCCER
Mexico striker Santiago Giménez subject of Premier League bid
The Feyenoord star has received interest from a number of Champions League clubs since firing his side to the Eredivisie in 2022/23.
Feyenoord are determined to hold out for a bumper transfer fee as interest in striker Santiago Giménez grows. The 23-year-old helped Feyenoord to the Dutch title in 2022/23 and has started the new season in fine form, scoring four goals in three games.
The Athletic reports that Nottingham Forest are the latest team to register an interest in the Mexican striker. The Premier League club have had a bid of €25million ($27.6m) rejected and are now considering whether to table an improved offer.
Giménez has previously been linked with the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea and Napoli but Feyenoord have not yet received a suitable offer. The Dutch giants are thought to value the Mexican at around €35million ($39m) after two impressive seasons at De Kuip.
Would Santiago Giménez be a good fit in the Premier League?
It’s no secret that strikers are at a premium in the transfer market and Giménez is one of few available options that looks well-suited to succeed in the Premier League. In addition to his fine scoring record - 53 goals in 89 games for Feyenoord - he boasts the physical stature needed to play as a lone striker in the English top flight.
“He’s a very dedicated player,” Feyenoord managing director Dennis te Kloese told AS USA last November. “His development has been ahead of schedule; it’s been surprising. He has settled in very quickly - we’re extremely happy with Santi. The sky’s the limit for him.”
In the Netherlands Giménez has thrived as the focal point of an attack with pacey, creative players either side to stretch defences and fashion chances. With that in mind Forest could prove a good fit, with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga capable of providing those qualities behind a target man forward.
Still only 23 Giménez still has his best years ahead of him and has time to adapt his game to suit the faster, more challenging Premier League. If Forest are willing to spend big on an upgrade for the aging Chris Wood and injury-prone Taiwo Awoniyi, Santiago Giménez could be everything that Nuno Espírito Santo needs in a No. 9.