Sunderland ‘lead race’ to sign Santiago Gimenez as ‘offer’ awaits
Sunderland have moved ahead of Brentford in the race to sign AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez ahead of the January transfer window.
Even the most optimistic of Sunderland fans could not have predicted their hugely impressive return to the Premier League that currently sees them sitting in seventh place after 12 games.
For all their positive play, the goals have not exactly flowed in attack, with Wilson Isidor the only striker to have notched more than once in the league so far.
Brentford are quite the opposite, with Igor Thiago in great form having notched half of their 18 league strikes so far this season as they sit 13th in the league.
Despite their differences, both teams are seemingly after more striker depth in the January window, but it is the Black Cats who hold the advantage in the race for Santiago Gimenez’s services.
Sunderland’s previous Santiago Gimenez enquiries mean they are ahead of Brentford
Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez has been linked to Sunderland and Brentford ahead of January as he struggles for game-time with Milan.
Calciomercato have now reported that Gimenez is very popular with the ambitious Sunderland sporting director Florent Ghisolfi, who already made an enquiry to sign him in the recent summer window.
That previous interest pushes the Black Cats ahead of Brentford, who are also interested in his services, with his agent Rafaela Pimenta believed to be particularly focused on leveraging her contacts in the Premier League.
Italian outlet Sportmediaset have taken the story one step further too, claiming that Sunderland and Ghisolfi are already in contact with Pimenta, and would like to offer Milan a loan with an obligation-to-buy under certain conditions.
Brentford could desperately need Gimenez if Thiago leaves
Gimenez would likely prefer a move to Sunderland over Brentford right now regardless of Ghisolfi’s previous enquiries, with the Wearside club in bigger need of a striker and higher up the table.
With that said, it is not entirely out of the question that the Bees may need to delve into the January market to bring in a new frontman considering Thiago’s outstanding early-season form.
Newcastle have been linked with a swoop for Thiago as they aim to bring in better competition for Nick Woltemade.
Tottenham are also interested in Thiago as Thomas Frank lines up a reunion with his old striker, but the Bees are set to demand a sizeable fee to prise him from their grasp.
If the Brazilian was to depart then they would need a new forward in a similar mould, and Gimenez fits that bill, but he may already be at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland move ahead in the battle to sign him.