According to recent reports in Italy, Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez is the leading candidate for the vacant no.9 role for Milan, as other options, including Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee, as well as Bundesliga forwards Benjamin Sesko and Serhou Guirassy have become less viable.
Why Milan prefer Gimenez
Of the four strikers that Milan have been linked with over the last few months, there appears to be the most room for negotiation with Gimenez. He is still valued in the region of €50m-€60m, although there is no specific figure guaranteed by a release clause.
In contrast, Sesko, currently contracted to RB Leipzig, has a €65m release clause in his contract, which will likely be too costly for the Rossoneri, particularly with Arsenal and Chelsea prepared to battle it out for his signature.
According to Milannews, the Zirkzee option has become less favourable over the last few hours, as his representatives are reportedly requesting a large commission fee, thought to be in the region of €10m-€15m on top of his €40m release clause.
New Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany is also said to be interested in buying Zirkzee back, which could end Milan’s pursuit outright, as the Bavarians have the first right of refusal on the 23-year-old.
Another player who has been linked with a move to Milan is Stuttgart’s Guirassy, who netted 28 goals from 28 Bundesliga appearances in 2023-24. There are concerns, however, that he overperformed beyond his regular abilities this campaign, and that those goalscoring figures will not be sustainable.
Therefore, and according to the latest updates, Gimenez appears to be the most viable option for the Rossoneri as it stands.