Sunderland facing transfer fight with West Ham and Brentford over £26m striker deal – reports
Sunderland face transfer competition from West Ham and Brentford over £26million Santiago Gimenez bid
Sunderland are facing transfer competition from West Ham and Brentford over a potential £26million deal, with the Black Cats pushing ahead in their pursuit of AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez.
It was Saturday morning when transfer journalist Ekrem Konur reported that Sunderland were preparing a £25.6million bid (converted from €30million) for the Mexico international, adding that West Ham, Real Betis, Frankfurt and Brentford were also keen on the 24-year-old forward.
That update was followed by fresh reports in Italy claiming that a deal for Sunderland to sign Gimenez this January was “virtually done”. According to MilanNews24, Sunderland were readying what they described as a “monster” offer worth around £26.3million, with AC Milan said to be satisfied with the valuation and prepared to accept the package without resistance.
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An excerpt from the Italian report read: “The sum offered satisfies the management, who consider the offer adequate to avoid capital losses and, above all, essential to raise the necessary cash to unlock the incoming transfer market for the new centre forward. Therefore, from the club’s perspective, the deal is virtually done.”
Whether Gimenez himself would be willing to agree to the move remains uncertain. Speaking in the summer, via Milan News, he said: “I feel at home in Milan, I'm living a dream, I thank God for giving me the chance to be at such a great team as Milan. I think there were a lot of rumours that I might leave, but I'm very happy there. I spoke with the management, the coaching staff, and the idea is for me to stay.”
Sunderland have been heavily linked with Gimenez throughout the week, with suggestions they are “pushing” to sign him and have already made contact with his agent. Reports in Italy, including from Tuttomercatoweb, claimed Milan may even be open to a loan with an obligation to buy, as they consider reshaping their attacking options. The race is gathering pace, and Sunderland now face notable Premier League competition as the January window approaches.
Sunderland’s striking options remained a work in progress despite the club investing significantly in recent windows. Summer signing Brian Brobbey had settled well and brought physicality and link-up play, while Wilson Isidor continued to offer intelligent movement and sharp running across the front line. Eliezer Mayenda has provided energy and potential, though his minutes have fluctuated as he has developed under Régis Le Bris. Between them, the trio showed promise, but goals still proved an area Sunderland would like to strengthen, particularly with the Premier League campaign demanding greater cutting edge in the final third.