The "Klassieker," the great classic of Dutch football, Ajax vs. Feyenoord, or the Milan Derby?
One or the other: both are scheduled for February 2nd. Fans have no doubts, but for Santiago Gimenez, it will be a significant choice. The Netherlands, out of gratitude: it’s where he grew and made a name for himself across Europe, including in the prestigious Champions League. For everything else, Gimenez would choose San Siro: he’s as eager to be there as a die-hard fan from the Curva Sud, as pointed out by Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
Santiago has expressed his desire, conveyed by his agent Rafaela Pimenta to Feyenoord’s management: after two and a half years in the red and white jersey, the Mexican striker is aiming for a new challenge.
He has already scored five goals in five matches against Ajax, and the Klassieker now offers little excitement. Far more thrilling would be the sight of a Milan-colored San Siro. The calendar presents a unique opportunity: his debut match as a Milan player could coincide with the derby.
The timeline of events is clear: tomorrow evening, the Champions League match between Milan and Dinamo Zagreb; between Thursday and Friday, Feyenoord’s definitive response to Milan’s offer; Sunday afternoon, the derby; and Monday, the transfer market closes. As far as Milan is concerned, they’re sticking to the schedule. It’s no coincidence that CEO Furlani won’t travel to Croatia: too much work at hand and the need to stay close to headquarters.
Feyenoord still has 48 hours to decide: should they keep Gimenez to try to fight for a Champions League spot in the league (some believe Santiago is crucial for this) and aim for the current edition’s Round of 16? With Gimenez, the team has greater impact, as his recent brace against Bayern Munich demonstrates. Or should they cash in 30 million euros, a significant sum, to seek a replacement who can still shift the balance of the Eredivisie? That search is far simpler than Milan’s ongoing quest for a striker capable of breaking through Italian and European defenses.
Gimenez has proven his abilities in the Eredivisie (45 goals in 73 matches overall), while in the Champions League, he has shown he can be a potentially universal striker: 6 goals in 8 appearances. These numbers also justify Milan’s valuation of him. The qualities are there, but they still need testing in one of Europe’s top leagues. Even Zlatan, during Walker’s unveiling, confirmed this approach: “Gimenez? Everyone knows he’s good. He has great talent and potential.” A forward for the future who can represent Milan both now and in the coming seasons.
Still, when it comes to Walker, a penalty-area striker capable of converting crosses would be ideal. Meanwhile, Santiago is playing his part: he and his agent are trying to overcome Feyenoord’s strong resistance. On the Dutch market, finding high-quality bargains is difficult, and Gimenez is no exception: his club is currently unwilling to offer a discount. However, negotiations in the coming days may lead to a compromise, working on bonuses or other clauses to attach to the contract. As of today, there is no agreement, nor is one close. For the player, it would require little effort: he would gladly sign a deal with Milan, which would boost both his earnings and ambitions.
Zlatan adds: "We have our targets, but the January market isn’t easy. We’re working and hope to achieve our goals. We know what we want, and so does the coach: let’s see if something develops and what we can accomplish, even in other departments. Working with Conceição is similar to working with Fonseca: Sergio prefers certain types of players, while Fonseca liked others."
Gimenez, naturally, has Conceição’s backing, as the coach has been involved in a series of market meetings.
Today and tomorrow, Milan wants the focus to be on the game: the final group-stage Champions League match is decisive for direct access to the Round of 16, though not for… Gimenez. And so, back to the market: Santiago will arrive (or won’t, without an agreement between the parties) regardless of the result in Zagreb. The UEFA prize guaranteed to the top sixteen teams in Europe, 11 million euros, would be helpful but not decisive. Nor are player sales: Pavlovic and Emerson could have financed the signing, but for one reason or another, they remained at Milanello without derailing the Gimenez deal. Milan, with Conceição, knows a striker is still essential: they lack a penalty-area presence, as the past few months have clearly shown.
Morata struggles to find the net when the entire attacking burden rests on his shoulders; in a partnership, he could work. Alternatively, Alvaro could take on a playmaker role, one he has covered successfully in recent weeks. With Abraham and the young Camarda, the forward line would be complete, pending Jovic’s decision on his future.
What about Milan fans' stance regarding Gimenez?
The fans already know: under Santiago's latest Instagram posts, there are hundreds of comments. Feyenoord fans want him for the 'Klassieker' vs Ajax . Rossoneri fans, far more numerous, are calling him to Milan.
