Real Madrid sees Karim Benzema's successor in the Eredivisie

Updated: 30 Sept 2023 13:24 BST
3 min read

Karim Benzema playing for Real Madrid — © ProShots

Real Madrid plans to make an attempt to sign Santiago Giménez in January, according to media reports in Spain.

The Feyenoord striker emerged as an absolute goal-getter in the second half of last season and has carried his good form into the current football season.

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The 22-year-old Mexican extended his contract last summer until mid-2027.

PROFILE: Who is Santiago Gimenez? Real Madrid's potential Karim Benzema replacement

Giménez managed to score no fewer than nine goals in the first six Eredivisie matches, which means he is currently at the top of the top scorers list.

The attacker was the star man against Ajax (0-4 win) with three goals and an assist. This made him the first Feyenoord player ever to score three goals against Ajax in Amsterdam.

Real Madrid has had a major striker problem since the departure of Karim Benzema, who moved to Al-Ittihad on a free transfer.

The Madrilenians scored fourteen times in eight games, with central midfielder Jude Bellingham being the most productive player with six goals. Striker Joselu only managed to score three times in eight games.

Real Madrid need to sign Santiago Gimenez this summer because of these reasons

1. 32 ⚽️ in 52 matches
2. 22 years old
3. Went from bench to starter
4. White and Blues Eyes (Perfect for Real Madrid)
5. Real Madrid will make back what they paid for him with jersey sales pic.twitter.com/pWiE6rF3ub
— TheMexicanLad🇲🇽 (@TheMexicanLad_) September 30, 2023

Real could face competition for Mexican hot-shot

In addition to Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund also has an eye on Giménez, according to BILD.

It is not yet a matter of concrete interest, because with Youssoufa Moukoko, Sebastién Haller and Niclas Füllkrug, the German top club already has three strikers in its ranks.

Dutch international Donyell Malen can also play at the point of attack. Moreover, the German club is somewhat short of cash, which means that the arrival of the twenty-time international (four goals) does not seem feasible for the time being. However, he has been listed as an interesting option for the future.

MASTERCLASS: Scouts watch on after Gimenez display

Feyenoord watcher Martijn Krabbendam said on Thursday evening that the 22-year-old striker should become Feyenoord's next record transfer. "There was already a lot of interest in him last summer and they signed Ayase Ueda for €9 million. That will simply be the striker next year. They will try to ensure that Giménez becomes the record transfer."

The journalist mentioned to Today Inside an amount of 'forty to fifty million euros'.