West Ham United could now consider swap deal to sign Santiago Gimenez in January

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West Ham are interested in signing AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez in the January transfer window.

With Niclas Fullkrug expected to leave, the Hammers will be a forward short for the second half of the season, making it imperative to sign reinforcements.

While Callum Wilson has done well for West Ham, he is 33 and has faced fitness issues in recent seasons, so Nuno Espirito Santo wants someone younger who could be a regular starter for him.

Gimenez-Fullkrug swap deal could be considered by West Ham

According to Tuttosport, Gimenez has been on West Ham’s radar for the last few months and they have rekindled their interest ahead of the January window.

Milan are also keen on a striker and with Fullkrug expected to leave, a swap deal could be on the cards for both forwards.

Gimenez, a Mexico international, has not had the best of seasons and knows that he needs to be scoring regularly, as it is a World Cup year.

After finding the back of the net on 22 occasions in all competitions last season, he’s scored just once in 11 games in all competitions and is yet to register a goal in nine Serie A matches.

On the other hand, Fullkrug offers the kind of presence that Max Allegri wants in a striker as he’s tall, physical and good in the air, while Gimenez is a more technical and all-round centre forward.

Would Gimenez thrive in the Premier League?

Gimenez is an extremely intelligent footballer, capable of creating space for his teammates with his movement.

The Mexican is hard to mark as he’s extremely quick and technical and he’s capable of beating his marker, surging into the box and having a shot on goal.

While he may not be as physical as some strikers are in the English top flight, he will most certainly thrive in the right system.

If West Ham want to play an extremely direct brand of football and pepper crosses into the box, it won’t play to Gimenez’s strengths.

However, if Nuno wants his attack to be more fluid and ensure that his striker can drop deep and link up play, then the Milan striker may be the ideal one for him.