Sunderland and West Ham-linked Santiago Gimenez ‘to leave’ Milan in £21.8m-plus summer deal | OneFootball

Santiago Gimenez, previously linked with Sunderland and West Ham, is still expected to leave AC Milan this summer as he closes in on a return to fitness.

The Black Cats were credited with strong interest before January, but an ankle injury thought to be a three-month lay-off effectively shut down any chance of a mid-season move.

TuttoSport reports the 24-year-old has a key check-up on his rehabilitation next week, and he could be back in action sooner than first feared.

If that happens, Milan are expected to place him on a fixed programme to reintegrate him quickly, although the prevailing view is that he will depart at the end of the campaign.

Since signing from Feyenoord, he has scored seven goals in 30 appearances, including one in 11 this term, and that modest return, plus the arrival of ex-West Ham talent Niklas Fullkrug, could hasten an exit.

It is claimed Premier League sides remain keen, and any club would likely need to offer £21.8m-plus to tempt Milan. Sunderland and West Ham were both heavily linked last year.

CalcioMercato reported in November that Gimenez still believes he can make his mark at Milan. Over the summer, Milan News relayed that he felt settled and intended to stay to show his best.

Source: Sunderland Echo