Tottenham Hotspur target Santiago Gimenez has been given Rafael van der Vaart’s seal of approval as the Premier League leaders run the rule over the Feyenoord striker.
You cannot keep a good man down.
And as Santiago Gimenez was denied an early opener during Feyenoord’s Champions League group-stage clash with Lazio – ruled offside following a VAR review – that served only to poke the tiger, the masterful Mexican taking out his frustration on the visiting backline just moments later.
Controlling a pass with his back to goal, Gimenez swivelled and finished in one awe-striking moment of ruthless efficiency. That was his 14th goal in just 11 games this season. Number 15 would arrive soon after too. Feyenoord putting Lazio to the sword as their talismanic centre-forward brought his staggering domestic form onto the biggest stage.
Totteham Hotspur like Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez
Tottenham Hotspur were already interested, according to Gimenez’s agent. And the Eredivisie champion is certainly doing his hopes of a big-money move to one of Europe’s major leagues – or Europe’s major teams, for that matter – no harm at all.
“I had my doubts,” Spurs icon Van der Vaart admits, speaking to Ziggo Sport. “Now, he convinces me more and more. He really has become a very good striker. He has so much confidence and feels so good in De Kuip.
“He still has a long way to go but he has now convinced me. You can no longer say it is a coincidence (when you look at his numbers).
“Great player. Great left foot.”
15 goals in 11 games
Gimenez has now scored in nine of his last ten games in all competitions, including a hat-trick against bitter rivals Ajax.
The striker’s agent confirmed interest not just from Tottenham but from Inter Milan, AC Milan, Napoli and Atletico Madrid too, with Feyenoord now expected to demand a fee in the region of £40 million (Calciomercato).
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