Nottingham Forest have agreed an potential £30 million deal with Eredivisie giants Feyenoord with Santiago Gimenez set to undergo a medical at the Premier League outfit in the next 24 hours.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed, after Saturday’s 1-0 win at Southampton, that he was hoping to add to a tally of eight summer signings before the window is due to close at the end of August.
A centre-forward is right at the top of their wishlist. And it appears that Nuno will get his wish.
Because, after failing to agree terms with Arsenal over Eddie Nketiah, Nottingham Forest are on the verge of striking a deal for Feyenoord poacher Santiago Gimenez instead.
HITC have been told that a deal has been agreed in principle worth £28 million, rising to £30 million. Gimenez, who was the subject of an initial £21 million offer a week ago, emerged as Forest’s top target for the number nine role.
And, during talks that have progressed over the last fortnight, the Mexico international confirmed to the two-time European champions that he would be open to a move.
Feyenoord have now accepted Forest’s terms. As such, Gimenez should be officially unveiled in that Garibaldi red shirt over the next 24 hours.
Nottingham Forest agree Santiago Gimenez deal with Feyenoord
While there are concerns over both Gimenez’s physicality and his consistency – former Forest ace Pierre van Hooijdonk among those expressing their doubts – the 23-year-old boasts a fine goalscoring record, albeit in a league hardly renowned for it’s rock-solid defending.
Gimenez scored 23 times as Feyenoord won the Eredivisie title under now-Liverpool boss Arne Slot in 2023. He then followed that up with 26 the following season, while beginning the current campaign with four in four.
And what he lacks in physicality, Gimenez could make up for intelligent movement and powerful ball-striking off both feet.
“Just set him up. If he doesn’t score in the next game, he’ll score in the one after,” ex-PSV Eindhoven ace Danny Koevermans told Voetbal Nieuws a few months ago.
“He is an exceptional striker.”
HITC can confirm that Gimenez was on Tottenham Hotspur’s radar before Ange Postecoglou’s side opted for former AFC Bournemouth talisman Dominic Solanke.
One of Gimenez’s representatives, meanwhile, told Tuttomercatoweb back in 2023 that Italian giants Inter, AC Milan, Lazio and Napoli had all made their interest known.
“I had my doubts,” Tottenham icon Rafael Van der Vaart told Ziggo Sport after Feyenoord’s number 29 made a flying start to last season. “Now, he convinces me more and more. He really has become a very good striker.
“He still has a long way to go but he has now convinced me. Great player. Great left foot.”
Nuno Esprito Santo wants further additions
Gimenez will add further depth to a Nottingham Forest frontline also boosted by the arrivals of wingers Ramon Sosa and Jota Silva. Nuno’s team have also picked up Elliot Anderson, Carlos Miguel and Nikola Milenkovic.
David Carmo put pen to paper after a £10 million fee was agreed with FC Porto on Sunday too. He will spent next season out on loan at Olympiakos, however, after helping Evangelos Marinakis’ Greek giants win the Europa Conference League last term.
“You know how it is. When you wake up, you don’t know what is going to happen,” Nuno told the Nottingham Post when pressed on the chance of further signings.
“There are so many things going on in the transfer window – surprise moves from all the teams. All the clubs in the Premier League are looking at these final days (of the window) to get the final details right. As long as we are the same, I will be OK.
“But let’s see what happens.”
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