Bayer Leverkusen to Tussle with Nottingham Forest for Santiago Giménez | OneFootball

The summer transfer window is in its final days, and the race to sign Mexican striker Santiago Giménez is heating up. Nottingham Forest and Bayer Leverkusen are the two clubs vying for the Feyenoord star, but both face unique challenges in securing his signature.

Nottingham Forest's Persistent Pursuit

Nottingham Forest has shown strong interest in Giménez throughout the summer, but their efforts have been met with resistance from Feyenoord. After seeing two initial bids rejected, Forest returned with a third official offer of €33 million (£28 million), which Feyenoord also turned down. The Dutch champions are reportedly holding out for a fee closer to €50 million (£43 million) for their star striker.

Despite Forest's willingness to invest significantly in Giménez, the player himself seems hesitant to make the move. Reports suggest that Giménez is not keen on joining a club that is closer to the relegation zone in the Premier League. With Forest narrowly avoiding relegation last season, it's understandable that Giménez might prefer a team with more immediate prospects for success.

Bayer Leverkusen's Late Interest

As Forest's pursuit appears to stall, Bayer Leverkusen has emerged as a serious contender for Giménez. The reigning Bundesliga champions have entered the race late but have a compelling case to offer. Leverkusen is not only a top-tier club in Germany, but they also have a strong chance of retaining their Bundesliga title and will be competing in the Champions League this season—much like Giménez’s current team, Feyenoord.

Leverkusen's interest is particularly intriguing because Giménez would face stiff competition for the starting striker position. He would be vying with Victor Boniface for the role, adding depth and quality to Leverkusen’s attacking options. However, this competition might also be seen as a positive, as it would provide Giménez with the opportunity to prove himself at the highest level of European football.

Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen's head coach, is reportedly keen on adding Giménez to his squad, believing that the Mexican striker's playing style would fit well with his tactical setup. This contrasts with the situation at Nottingham Forest, where Nuno Espirito Santo's system is unlikely to be as well-suited to Giménez's strengths.

Feyenoord's Stance and the Transfer Deadline

Feyenoord is in a strong negotiating position, given Giménez's importance to their squad. The striker has played in every game for the Dutch club this season, scoring two goals in three matches, including a brace in the Super Cup final against PSV Eindhoven. A late departure of this magnitude for Feyenoord would be devastating as they aim to contend for the Eredivisie title and make an impact in the Champions League.

With the transfer deadline looming on Friday, time is running out for both Forest and Leverkusen to make a move. While Leverkusen is reportedly willing to wait until January if necessary, Forest's urgency to bolster their attacking options before the window closes might push them to increase their offer.

The next few days will be critical in determining Giménez's future. Whether he ends up in the Premier League or the Bundesliga, one thing is certain: the battle for his signature is far from over.