No 9 role in play: FC Porto eye Giménez but reject mad fees | OneFootball

Without haste, 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 No. 9 role. Even so, despite the rumours that have emerged – and which will be addressed later on – any decision will be taken carefully.

Until then, the structure led by André Villas-Boas and coach Francesco Farioli remain confident in the players currently available in 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 1-0 against Torreense, and showed how he could fit into the style of play implemented by the national title-winning coach. Although he was not particularly sharp in front of goal – still in the first half, he missed a close-range touch in front of the net after a pass from William Gomes – the 30-year-old striker showed he is capable of carrying out one of the most important tasks Farioli assigns to his centre-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 ending last season as a starter. The Turkey international is still struggling to find the net regularly and delivered a quiet performance against Torreense after coming on for André Silva. Therefore, if an interesting business opportunity arises, it is not impossible that the No. 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 Mexican 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 an exit. The Italian club would prefer a sale, although the clubs interested in the former Feyenoord player have shown a greater inclination toward a loan, possibly with an option or obligation to buy. It should be remembered that Giménez was affected by injuries in 2025/26 and finished the 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, coached by Gennaro Gattuso, are urgently looking for a centre-forward and, according to Corriere dello Sport, the manager wants to have Giménez. Even so, the same newspaper describes Santiago Giménez as «the forbidden dream» of the biancocelesti. Besides Milan prioritising a permanent transfer, any loan deal 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.