(Credit: Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Tue 3 March 2026 12:47, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Leeds United and Sunderland are both likely to reignite their pursuits for AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The Premier League duo were both linked with a move for the 24-year-old in the January window, and it is understood that they will return to their chase of the Mexican if he can prove his fitness between now and the end of the season.

Gimenez has been out of action for Milan since October after suffering an ankle injury, but is now nearing the final stages of his recovery.

West Ham were also linked with him in January, but sources say that their interest in the former Feyenoord now hinges on their ability to remain in the Premier League.

Leeds are in the market for another striker to add to their squad, and Gimenez could be the man to fill the role at Elland Road next term.

Santiago Gimenez’s goalscoring record to excite Leeds

Gimenez is seemingly nearing the end of his recovery process, and he could soon be about to make his first appearance for Milan since 28 October.

The frontman has undergone surgery as part of his lengthy lay-off, but the fact that he could soon return to action appears to have caught the attention of clubs in the Premier League once again.

Gimenez has endured plenty of difficulties since he completed his switch to Serie A in January 2024, but his goalscoring record from his time in the Dutch Eredivisie is sure to excite Leeds and Sunderland.

He spent two-and-a-half seasons in Feyenoord’s colours, and surpassed 20 goals in all competitions in both of his full seasons.

He then hit 16 goals from just 19 games in the first half of the 2024-25 season, including five in five in the Champions League, a run that prompted Milan to swoop in for him.

Things haven’t gone to plan for Gimenez since then, but that has done little to detract from the admirers that he has built up in the English top flight.

Leeds’ stance on Jaka Bijol summer sale

Football Insider revealed last week that Leeds will only consider big-money offers for Jaka Bijol this summer, as interest in him builds from the top end of the Premier League.

Liverpool have earmarked the Slovenian as a target who could provide depth to their backline, and they are hoping that they can tempt him away just one year after his £15million move to Elland Road.

However, the Whites have little intention of losing any of their key players this summer, and as a result, they have already decided that they won’t even entertain offers for Bijol unless it is a figure that truly makes it worthwhile for them.

Daniel Farke and Co. are hoping to consolidate their position in the top-flight even further next term, and Bijol is seen as someobody who can help them to achieve that goal.