No 9 in the mix: FC Porto weigh up Santiago Giménez, no mad spend | OneFootball

Without rushing, calmly, and with a sense of responsibility. With around four weeks left until the close of the transfer window in Portugal, FC Porto’s SAD is sticking to the strategy defined for this summer window. Samu, as is well known, is only expected to return to competition once the season is already underway. For that reason, the dragons are still looking for another option for the number 9 position. Even so, despite the rumors that have emerged – and which will be addressed later on – any decision will be made carefully.

Until then, the structure led by André Villas-Boas and coach Francesco Farioli remain confident in the players currently available for the attack, especially one of the signings secured this summer: André Silva.

The Portugal international started in the first official match of the season, the Super Cup won against Torreense, 1-0, and showed how he could fit into the playing model implemented by the national champion coach. Although he was not particularly clinical in front of goal – still in the first half, he missed a close-range touch after a pass from William Gomes – the 30-year-old striker showed he is capable of fulfilling one of the most important tasks Farioli assigns to the center forward: holding up the ball in advanced areas while also linking up with wingers and midfielders.

Everything points to him remaining in the starting eleven for Sunday’s match against Alverca. That ability, together with the experience gained over almost ten years abroad and his identification with Porto’s values, justified the SAD’s decision to sign André Silva. The Portuguese player is expected to play an important role throughout the season, even after Samu recovers and another striker arrives at the Dragão in the meantime.

Deniz Gul, meanwhile, seems to be losing ground after finishing last season as a starter. The Turkey international still cannot find the net consistently and delivered a quiet display against Torreense after coming on for André Silva. So, if an interesting business opportunity arises, it is not impossible that the number 27 could become a source of income for the club.

The latest on Santiago Giménez

In recent days, Santiago Giménez has once again been strongly linked with FC Porto, precisely at a time when the blue-and-white SAD is assessing what its next move in the market will be. The dragons are monitoring the Mexico international’s situation, but they have several options under consideration and are not willing to make financial excesses. The striker is not part of Ruben Amorim’s plans at Milan, which remains open to the possibility of his departure. The Italian club would prefer a sale, although the clubs interested in the former Feyenoord player have shown a greater preference for a loan, possibly with an option or obligation to buy. It should be remembered that Giménez was affected by injuries in 2025/26 and ended the Club World Cup with a problem in his right ankle.

At the same time, the Italian press places another historic Serie A club among the main suitors for the 25-year-old Mexican striker. Lazio, managed by Gennaro Gattuso, are urgently looking for a center forward and, according to the Corriere dello Sport, the coach wants to have Giménez. Even so, the same newspaper describes Santiago Giménez as the forbidden dream of the biancocelesti. Besides Milan giving priority to a permanent transfer, a possible loan could include a purchase clause close to 20 million euros – a fee beyond the Roman club’s reach.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.