Striker explains Nottingham Forest transfer snub but leaves door open for future move
Nottingham Forest failed to add a striker to Nuno Espirito Santo's squad before the summer transfer window closed
by Sarah Clapson · NottinghamshireLiveStriker Santiago Gimenez has explained why he turned down an approach from Nottingham Forest in the summer.
The Reds were keen to add to their attacking resources before the window closed on August 30. They had a number of players on their radar, including Mexico international Gimenez, but didn’t manage to get a deal over the line.
The 23-year-old has confirmed Forest’s interest and has revealed they were not the only team interested in signing him. However, he had “a lot of doubts” over moving to the City Ground and he instead opted to remain with Feyenoord.
“We thought it was the perfect time to leave after two years in the Netherlands, but in the end there were things that were not in our hands,” Gimenez told Fox Sports (via Mexican publication Record). “There were two offers on the table; the one that came up was from Nottingham and the truth is that we had a lot of doubts, but in the end we decided to stay at Feyenoord primarily for the Champions League.”
Gimenez is currently facing three months on the sidelines with a thigh problem. He was stretchered off before the half-hour mark of Feyenoord’s win over NAC Brada last month.
However, he has not ruled out moving on in the future. The front man has left the door open to a potential January switch - possibly to the Premier League.
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“I don’t like one league more than another,” he added. “There are four that I love: German, English, Italian and Spanish. That’s what I would like to aspire to.”
Having failed to bring in a forward, Forest are reliant on Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi to see them through until January at least. But head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has said there was no disappointment over the lack of a new striker in the summer.
"There was no disappointment (at not signing a striker) at all," Nuno said after the window closed. "The main objective was to keep the players we wanted to keep - this is something which is good for us in the development of the squad and afterwards knowing we have solutions. To believe in them, trust them and to develop them."