Santiago Gimenez’s transfer value explodes to record high amid Chelsea and Real Madrid rumours

Yanick Vos

Updated: 8 Dec 2023 10:57 GMT
4 min read

Chelsea and Real Madrid have been given new reason to make a January move for Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez, with the transfer value of the Feyenoord striker having risen sharply once more.

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The latest figures from data analysis agency SciSports show that the Mexico attacker currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of no less than €31.7 million. That is an increase of 19.2% compared to last month, when he was worth €26.6m.

Gimenez remains the jewel in Feyenoord’s squad, ahead of Quilindschy Hartman, who has an ETV of €21m. The rise in Gimenez’s value is a logical consequence of excellent performances in November.

Gimenez’s mixed month

Although the 22-year-old Gimenez did not score regularly last month, he performed strongly in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord, who recorded five wins in the competition. He experienced his highlight against Excelsior. In the derby he was decisive with a hat trick.

In the Champions League, the results of Feyenoord and Gimenez were disappointing. The striker could not make the difference against both Lazio and Atletico Madrid, with two defeats. He had more success with the national team. One of the two matches against Honduras was won and Gimenez provided an assist in the second match.

Gimenez’s ETV reaches record height

Gimenez's strong development in the Feyenoord shirt is reflected in his market value. Last summer, the striker had an ETV of €16.2m. That figure has almost doubled. In October, his ETV shot up from €17.5m to €26.6m. Another €5m has since been added.

Last summer, Feyenoord took a big step by keeping Gimenez on board with a new contract until 2027. This long-term commitment will put Feyenoord's club management on firm footing during the negotiations that will undoubtedly come next summer. A transfer fee far above the actual value of the player is to be expected.

Summer departure imminent

There was already sizeable interest in Gimenez last summer. The striker is well on his way to becoming the top scorer in the Eredivisie and he seems to be going to capitalise on that status in 2024. A major transfer is imminent.

Gimenez is linked to the biggest clubs in Europe, including Real Madrid, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

Yet he still seems to have to take steps before he can compete at the highest level. He did not make a strong impression against Lazio or last week against Atletico Madrid. Some critics have suggested he should even stay at Feyenoord and refine his game.

“There are players who may have to come to the conclusion that Feyenoord is the level where they have to stay for a while in order to ultimately be able to take that next step,” said Martijn Krabbendam after the 3-1 defeat in De Kuip against Diego Simeone’s side.

“Last weekend he scored three against Excelsior, but in the end it is not about scoring three against Excelsior. Then that chance against Atletico Madrid should simply be a goal and that did not happen. He was also otherwise invisible and that was the case against Lazio too.

“He is a striker who is still very young, so he can still take steps, but he has to ask himself what the best stage is to do that. He does score goals in the Eredivisie, but at European level and especially when the level is too high... That's not a problem at all, but when you see Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann on the other side... He's still there a few levels down. Which makes sense, of course.”

So while Chelsea and Real Madrid will be wary of Gimenez’s ETV continuing to climb, they should also be careful not to overpay too much for the forward, who still has much to prove.