Santiago Gimenez, the most prolific goalscorer under Arne Slot’s management, has completed a move away from Feyenoord, a transfer that could have significant implications for Darwin Nunez’s future at Liverpool. The Mexican striker found the back of the net 49 times in 85 appearances under Slot, making him the top scorer of the Dutch manager’s career so far. Mohamed Salah, with 25 goals in 33 games, is the closest challenger, but his ability to surpass Gimenez’s tally remains uncertain unless he commits to a new contract at Anfield.
Slot’s appointment at Liverpool inevitably sparked speculation about potential signings from his former club, with Gimenez frequently linked with a move to Merseyside. The striker himself fueled rumors last month by suggesting that he expects to play under Slot again in the future. However, any possibility of a reunion at Anfield has now been ruled out after AC Milan secured Gimenez’s signature in a deal worth up to £29 million on deadline day. The striker has penned a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Italian giants, joining a squad that still includes former Liverpool forward Divock Origi, though the Belgian has been cast aside from first-team duties.
Gimenez’s departure is part of a wider exodus from Feyenoord since Slot’s move to Liverpool, with several key players moving on to new clubs. Lutsharel Geertruida joined RB Leipzig, Mats Wieffer signed for Brighton, Marcus Pedersen moved to Torino, and Alireza Jahanbakhsh returned to the Netherlands with Heerenveen. Slot’s success in developing players, particularly his work with Gimenez, has been viewed as a blueprint for getting the best out of Darwin Nunez. At Feyenoord, Gimenez’s numbers improved significantly under Slot’s guidance, leading some to believe that the Liverpool boss could do the same for Nunez. However, the Uruguayan has struggled for consistency at Anfield, often finding himself behind Luis Diaz in the pecking order and failing to cement himself as an undisputed starter.
While a move for Gimenez was never a concrete expectation despite his own comments, his deadline-day transfer to AC Milan may have also impacted the potential exit of Nunez from Liverpool. Reports suggest that the Italian club had shown interest in the Liverpool striker, with journalist Paul Gorst claiming that Milan’s pursuit of Nunez was not expected to materialize until the summer. Liverpool remained firm in their stance that they would not entertain mid-season departures, ensuring that any negotiations for Nunez would be delayed. However, with Milan now securing Gimenez, it is unlikely they will continue to pursue another high-profile striker in the summer transfer window.
Nunez remains a player of interest to clubs in Saudi Arabia, with Al-Hilal reportedly prepared to offer him a contract worth £558,000 per week. Despite these links, there have been no serious developments regarding a move to the Middle East. For now, the Uruguayan remains part of Liverpool’s attacking options, though his long-term future at the club could come into question should Slot decide to reshape his forward line. With Gimenez now off the market and AC Milan seemingly filling their striking void, one potential destination for Nunez has seemingly disappeared. His future will likely be a major talking point when the summer transfer window opens, with Liverpool assessing their attacking options and potential reinforcements.
