'It makes no sense!' - Santiago Gimenez's father slams AC Milan for transfer 'confusion' as €40m signing refuses Roma swap to fight for childhood dream

Gimenez's father, Christian, has opened up on the transfer "confusion" involving his son during the final few days of the transfer window. Christian was absolutely blatant while expressing his disappointment about Milan's treatment of the player, while also revealing that it was hard for him personally to witness the developments.

Gimenez was signed from Feyenoord in January earlier this year for a fee reported to be around €40 million (£34m/$46m) including add-ons. After scoring six goals in 19 games, the 24-year-old failed to nail his place as the club's first-choice No.9, prompting the Rossoneri to enter the market for "more strikers." Although new head coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed that he would play a big role in his plans, sporting director Igli Tare publicly stated that signing Dovbyk from Roma was a possibility, with Gimenez going the other way. The Mexico international didn't budge, however, as he refused to accept any move away from San Siro. 

Speaking on Radio Mexico, Gimenez's father said: "It's been a very confusing few hours. It's very strange for a sporting director to make statements like that before a game. Santi was never consulted. The reality is that Santi is an AC Milan player, and when the parties met on Monday, it was decided that he would stay.

"It was a bad night. I didn't sleep, I was always updated on what was going on and in constant contact with the Rossoneri club. After hearing the words of Milan's sporting director, it was difficult.

"What Santi is living is the dream he had as a child. He has great room for growth. I see him calm on and off the field. He is at an elite club where the pressure is greater than before.

"In Milan's sporting and market model, spending 40 million for a player you are loaning after four months makes no sense. I don't know if it happened or not, but you could hear about it. Santi is at a club he loves, where he wants to be, but if he changes teams, the world does not end. He is very happy there, it was hard to get there. A lot of strong players have arrived and you have to know that at Milan, you have to perform at the top every game, they don't wait for you. But I am confident that it will be a great season for Santi."

If Gimenez wants to stake his claim as one of Europe's finest strikers, the 2025-26 season is going to make or break for him. He will have to fight stiff competition from Christopher Nkunku, who arrived from Chelsea. The Mexico-born forward will next be seen in action for Milan on September 14, when they welcome Bologna at the San Siro.