Tottenham Hotspur are among several European suitors interested in signing Feyenoord centre-forward Santiago Gimenez. According to Fox News, his representatives will travel to Europe to hold talks with interested parties in the coming days.
Feyenoord are willing to listen to offers for the 23-year-old despite losing Mats Wieffer, Yankuba Minteh, and manager Arne Slot this summer.
Gimenez put top clubs on alert in his first season in Europe following his transfer from Cruz Azul, spearheading Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title with 15 goals and two assists.
The Mexican international followed it up with another terrific campaign, recording 23 goals in 30 league appearances last term. The Buenos Aires-born attacker has registered 49 goals and 11 assists in 86 outings for the Rotterdam-based side.
His left foot is a potent weapon. His movement in the box and ability to run the channels is lethal. His hold-up play improved massively under Slot.
However, while Gimenez is a tempting proposition for Spurs, the club should be looking at other targets.
Questions remain about his suitability for Tottenham’s specific needs. While he attacks the ball well in the opposition box, he struggles with aerial duels outside the box, especially when he needs to link with his teammates.
Spurs need a striker who can provide a focal point in attack, bring teammates into play, and effectively link up with others. Gimenez does not fit the bill.
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min is ruthless at beating the last line and finishing chances. Spurs already have this quality. The north Londoners need a striker that brings more in the final third.
Also, Gimenez struggles with his footwork, especially when he needs to create excellent angles to shoot.
For years, Tottenham had the pleasure of watching Harry Kane open that extra inch to take his shots, a trait that several world-class strikers possess, but Gimenez hasn’t improved that aspect of his game.
Besides, the jump in quality from the Eredivisie to the Premier League is a lot to cope with. Troy Parrott, who never really stood out during his time at Tottenham, has looked like a world-beater in the Netherlands.
Spurs, more than many other English clubs, know this, having seen signings from the Eredivisie like Steven Bergwijn, Davinson Sanchez, and Vincent Janssen struggle on English soil.
Hossam Ghaly, Young-pyo Lee, Mounir El Hamdaoui, Edson Sousa, and Spase Dilevski have also arrived in North London with big reputations from the Dutch league only to fail to live up to the hype.
Tottenham need a Premier League-proven, tested, and trusted striker who brings more than exceptional finishing to the table, and Brentford’s Ivan Toney looks like the best bet.
Toney, at 28, has the experience, goalscoring record, and all-round game to spearhead Ange Postecoglou’s side to challenge for titles.