Lazio eye Milan forward Gimenez as Gattuso looks to strengthen squad | OneFootball

Lazio’s search for a centre-forward has taken a new turn, with Gennaro Gattuso identifying Milan’s Santiago Gimenez as his ideal target.

According to Il Messaggero, via CalcioMercato, the Biancocelesti coach made his preference known within days of arriving at Formello. John Kennedy currently sits in pole position on the club’s list, but the negotiation with Fluminense has stalled, and the alternatives have not particularly enthused Gattuso.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan celebrates after scoring to give the side a 1-0 lead during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Gimenez fits Gattuso’s system despite Milan struggles

The appeal lies in the profile rather than the recent output. The 2001-born Mexican endured a torrid campaign at San Siro, hampered by injury and finishing with a single Coppa Italia goal and none in Serie A, while his World Cup, where an ankle problem cut short his tournament with Mexico, did little to lift the picture.

Gattuso, though, looks to the player who scored 65 goals in 105 appearances across two and a half years at Feyenoord, and believes Gimenez’s ability to link play, time his runs and attack the box vertically suits his football.

The obstacle is financial. With Lazio required to operate at zero net spend, the only viable route is a loan agreement with Milan, and even then his €2.5 million net salary would need addressing.

Milan, for their part, are open to letting Gimenez go, with Amorim building around club-record signing Gonçalo Ramos, but would prefer a permanent sale to recoup the €30m-plus invested to sign him from Feyenoord.

That stance could soften as the window progresses, potentially opening the door to a loan with an option, at which point Lazio could move decisively.