A striker who broke one of Luis Suarez’s most famous goal-scoring records could soon find himself with the perfect opportunity to exact revenge on Tottenham Hotspur.
Santiago Gimenez, the prolific Feyenoord forward, has captured the attention of football fans and clubs alike after his stunning form in 2023. He hammered in 31 goals over the course of the calendar year, shattering the 30-goal record Suarez set while playing for Ajax in 2009. This remarkable feat didn’t go unnoticed, and it wasn’t long before Gimenez was linked with a move to the Premier League, with Tottenham Hotspur leading the charge.
Earlier this year, Tottenham supporters were buzzing with excitement as rumors swirled about Gimenez potentially joining the North London club. The excitement reached a fever pitch when the Mexican international was spotted in the stands at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, watching Ange Postecoglou’s side in a thrilling 3-2 home loss to Arsenal in the North London derby. For many, this was a clear sign that a move was imminent, and the prospect of Gimenez donning the famous white shirt of Tottenham seemed more likely than ever.
However, just as quickly as the rumors had gained momentum, they were abruptly squashed. Tottenham’s interest in the 23-year-old forward was suddenly dropped, leaving fans puzzled and disappointed. The club, instead, shifted its focus and, months later, unveiled the £65 million signing of Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth. While Solanke’s arrival was met with enthusiasm, there was still a lingering sense of what might have been with Gimenez.
As the summer transfer window heats up, it seems Gimenez may have the chance to haunt his former admirers after all. Reports suggest that Nottingham Forest is now interested in an audacious move for the prolific striker. Should Forest succeed in convincing Feyenoord to part with their star forward, Gimenez could find himself facing Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, with the potential for revenge looming large.
If Gimenez does make the move to Nottingham Forest, he would have at least two opportunities to showcase his talents against Tottenham in the upcoming season. The prospect of the man who broke Suarez’s record lining up against Spurs adds an intriguing subplot to the already intense Premier League rivalry. According to Transfermarkt, Gimenez is currently valued at around £34 million, but it’s unclear what figure would convince Feyenoord to let go of their prized asset. His contract at the Stadion Feijenoord is set to expire in 2027, meaning the Dutch giants are under no immediate pressure to sell.
Gimenez has been candid about his future, admitting that while he is happy at Feyenoord, he would consider a move if the right opportunity presents itself. In a recent interview with Rijnmond, the Mexican international revealed his ambition and the factors that would influence his decision. “If there is an opportunity which compares to Feyenoord, then I have to look at it. After that, we’ll see. I’m an ambitious person, but I’m still here and I have a contract. I’ll do my best for the club until the last day I’m here,” Gimenez said.
He also spoke about his faith and how it plays a role in his decision-making process. “The only one who knows whether I am ready for the next step or not is God. He determines my future and whether I am ready for it. I have told Dennis (Feyenoord chief executive Dennis te Kloese) and Brian (Feyenoord head coach Brian Priske) that they do not have to worry about my focus.”
Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou has been full of praise for Tottenham’s new acquisition, Dominic Solanke. The Australian manager expressed his satisfaction with the club’s successful pursuit of the former Bournemouth striker, emphasizing the attributes that Solanke brings to the squad. “He (Solanke) was obviously one I was very keen to get in. It took a while to get it over the line, but I think he will be a great fit for us in terms of the player he is and the point of his career where he is at,” Postecoglou said in a recent press conference.
Postecoglou’s comments highlight the strategic thinking behind Solanke’s signing, as the club looked to bolster its attacking options. “As I said, we are a bit light in that front third in terms of adding quality not just to the squad but also to our team. He certainly does that. Pleased to get him on board, and we have a week and a bit to work with him,” he added.
The Tottenham manager also pointed out the specific qualities Solanke brings to the table, particularly in light of the challenges the team faced last season. “We identified him because he has the attributes we are looking for in terms of our position. He gives us some things we probably have been missing in the last 12 months, particularly when Richarlison was out last year,” Postecoglou explained. “When Richy played, he was very effective for us. It was quite evident when he was out we didn’t really have a player who can make the impact Dom can in the final third and just with his general play. So I think he will be a good fit for us.”
As the Premier League season approaches, the potential for Santiago Gimenez to make a move to Nottingham Forest and face Tottenham Hotspur adds an extra layer of drama to what is already shaping up to be an exciting campaign. Whether or not Gimenez will get the chance to exact revenge on the club that once courted him remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his journey from record-breaker to potential Premier League star is far from over.
