Milan have opened direct discussions with FC Porto over the potential transfer of Mexico striker Santiago Gimenez, with reports indicating the Portuguese club have set an asking price of at least €20 million. The first move in negotiations took place on the day the contacts began, according to coverage attributed to Milan-based outlets, as both sides explore whether a deal can be structured without damaging Milan’s financial position.
The striker’s availability is rooted in his current status at his parent club. Gimenez is not considered part of coach Ruben Amorim’s plans for this term and was limited last season by a serious ankle injury that ultimately required surgery. As Milan weigh options for forward recruitment and squad reshaping, Gimenez’s profile—coupled with his recent injury history—has placed him among the names capable of moving in this window.
News of the direct approach has quickly turned the spotlight to how negotiations might be conducted. MilanNews reports that the first contact between the two clubs occurred today to discuss terms for any potential agreement. While talks can shift quickly in the transfer market, the early indication is that Porto want a deal that reflects the minimum valuation they are prepared to entertain, while Milan assess whether such a figure can be met through a structure that reduces risk.
One element that appears likely to feature is the idea of a loan. The proposed pathway discussed in reports is that Porto would take the player on loan, with an option to buy after the end of the season. Such arrangements can be attractive when the selling club wants to control costs and retain flexibility, while the buying club can reassess the player’s fitness and impact over a full spell in a new tactical environment.
Financially, Milan’s stance is shaped by the need to avoid recording a net loss on the transfer. The reports suggest that to prevent a net loss, Milan would need to secure at least €20 million from the eventual sale or deal structure involving Gimenez. That minimum threshold is critical: if negotiations settle below it, Milan would face a disadvantage on the books, which in turn affects how aggressively they push for particular terms.
Porto, for their part, are reportedly keeping a close eye on fitness concerns within their own attacking options. Additional reporting has linked the consideration of Gimenez with worries around the health of Samu Aghehowa Omorodion, a factor that could make the search for a dependable centre-forward more urgent. The fact that the idea of pursuing Gimenez had been considered earlier in the window, but is now being pursued more formally, signals that Porto are moving from “monitoring” to “attempting” as the competitive calendar approaches.
The player’s background also helps explain why a return to Portugal is being taken seriously. Coach Francesco Farioli is described as an admirer of the Gimenez he observed at Feyenoord before the striker’s move to San Siro in February 2025 for €30.2 million. That history—both the previous scouting admiration and the significant purchase price—adds weight to the discussion, because it clarifies why Milan would be reluctant to write off value while also explaining why Porto would be keen to test him in a familiar European football setting.
Rumours of Porto interest have not emerged in isolation. Another report indicates that Milan have opened channels for a move and that Jorge Mendes has played a role in connecting the parties. The super-agent’s alleged involvement is framed around unfinished business with Milan, including a prior relationship that helped them complete the signing of Goncalo Ramos earlier in the summer. Such links often matter in negotiations because they can streamline early discussions on wages, intermediaries, and the mechanics of loan or option-to-buy clauses.
In parallel, other Serie A possibilities have been mentioned, though they appear less straightforward. One alternative considered in reports is loaning Gimenez to Lazio, another top-flight Italian club. However, coverage suggests that reaching agreement with every party would be difficult under the circumstances, implying that not all stakeholders are likely to approve a separate domestic move—especially if Porto want him to be repositioned within their own competition schedule.
Italian media attention has also extended to how other clubs have viewed the player. A separate round of reports has linked Gimenez with Lazio interest, citing that he could be open to a return to Italy if terms align. Yet even with such interest, Porto’s more advanced posture—coupled with their concerns over their own striker fitness—may provide them with leverage in shaping the final outcome.
What Milan, Porto, and Gimenez each stand to gain will depend on whether the negotiations can reach a workable compromise between valuation and timing. For Milan, the key is protecting their financial balance given the implied €20 million minimum needed to avoid a net loss. For Porto, the attraction is acquiring a forward they believe can add immediate options, potentially while using a loan structure to evaluate him over a season before exercising a purchase option.
With Gimenez currently sidelined in terms of Amorim’s immediate plans and still emerging from a significant ankle injury, the deal will likely hinge on fitness assessments and confidence in his ability to deliver consistently. For now, the direct talks between Milan and Porto mark a tangible step toward a resolution, and the €20 million asking benchmark suggests negotiations will not be casual. Whether the final agreement is a loan with an option to buy, or another configuration emerges, the next stage will reveal how quickly both clubs can align their priorities.
As the transfer market moves into its decisive phase, supporters will be watching for confirmation of formal offers, medical conclusions, and final agreement on contract details. The first direct contact indicates momentum, but the presence of valuation thresholds, injury history, and competition for striker roles means the story is far from settled. What is clear is that Gimenez’s future is being actively reconsidered at multiple levels, and Milan’s decision will likely reflect both sporting needs and financial constraints.
Yahoo Sports reported that Milan and Porto have started direct talks and that Porto’s asking price is at least €20m, while also outlining the broader loan-with-option concept and Milan’s need to avoid a net loss. Additional context on Porto’s motivations and the proposed structure has been described in coverage linked to Yahoo Sports, including the role attributed to coach Farioli and the fitness concerns driving interest. The wider Serie A landscape and Lazio’s linkage to the striker has also been noted in ESPN, underscoring that Gimenez remains a player multiple clubs are weighing as options in the window.
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