Real Madrid line up Mexican sensation as Haaland alternative

Updated: 28 Sept 2023 15:47 BST
3 min read

Santiago GiménezSantiago Giménez, Feyenoord — © ProShots

Real Madrid have shortlisted Feyenoord's Mexico striker Santiago Gimenez as a potential solution at No.9 should Manchester City's Erling Haaland prove out of reach.

Real remain in the market for a top striker despite securing the services of Brazil prodigy Endrick for the summer of 2024, when the Palmeiras youngster turns 18.

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Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema left for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League this summer, and although Joselu was signed on loan from Espanyol to replace him, it is midfielder Jude Bellingham who is Real's six-goal top scorer this season.

READ: Three Premier League giants who must target Santiago Gimenez

Haaland, and indeed Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, or continually linked with moves to the Santiago Bernabeu, but the former is under lock and key at Manchester City until 2027 and the latter, despite being out of contract next summer, has been reintegrated into PSG's squad in recent weeks.

🇲🇽 EL MEJOR JUEGO EN LA CARRERA DE SANTIAGO GIMÉNEZ

🔥 Hat Trick y asistencia en el Clásico de Países Bajos entre Feyenoord y Ajax.

💥 Llega a 9 goles en la temporada y apenas van 6 jornadas. pic.twitter.com/AkvyZOxZRl
— Futbol Picante (@futpicante) September 27, 2023

Real 'would pay more than €50 million'

Gimenez could be a cheaper alternative.

"Real Madrid are intent on reinforcing their forward line next season, and Santiago Gimenez has emerged as a top alternative [to Haaland]," reports Fichajes' Miguel Angel de Miguel Casas. "They are aware that he is coveted by Premier League clubs and would be willing to pay Feyenoord more than €50 million."

READ: Will Real Madrid contact Feyenoord? 'I hope so'

North London pair Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest in Gimenez in recent weeks and months.

The Mexican, who cost Feyenoord just €6m from Cruz Azul in the summer of 2022, has scored nine goals from just six Eredivisie games this season, with his ETV having climbed to €16.5m per FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm.

Gimenez wouldn't be the first left-footed Mexican striker to play for Real, with club legend Hugo Sanchez scoring 199 goals in 267 games between 1985 and 1992 on the way to winning five La Ligas and a UEFA Cup.