AC Milan Hold Key to Santiago Giménez’s Reported Porto Transfer
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AC Milan Hold Key to Santiago Giménez’s Reported Porto Transfer

Santiago Giménez has reportedly agreed terms with Porto, but Milan must still approve the proposed move before the transfer can proceed.

Marco Ferraro Marco Ferraro Updated on 12 August 2026

Santiago Giménez has reportedly reached an agreement with Porto, but his proposed move from Milan still needs the Italian club’s approval.

The Mexican striker and Porto have found an understanding on personal terms, while Milan’s sign-off remains the outstanding piece.

That agreement puts Porto in the lead for Giménez, but it stops short of completing the transfer.

Until Milan approve a deal, the striker’s future stays unresolved.

Porto Push Ahead In Santiago Giménez Pursuit

Porto have made a decisive approach for Giménez.

Coach Francesco Farioli contacted the striker directly and laid out his vision for the role Giménez would play in Porto’s squad.

Farioli is known to admire Giménez’s performances for Feyenoord, long before his move to Milan, and that familiarity appears to have played into Porto’s pitch.

Giménez is currently recovering from an injury picked up playing for Mexico at the 2026 World Cup, which kept him out of Milan’s pre-season tour.

Porto and Milan have also held direct contact over a potential transfer, giving the Portuguese side an edge over any rival suitor.

Lazio’s Gattuso Left Searching For Attack Options

Lazio coach Gennaro Gattuso had viewed Giménez as a leading target for his attack this summer.

With Porto now understood to have an agreement in place with the player, Lazio have fallen behind in the race.

Gattuso addressed the situation publicly once Giménez’s preference for Porto became clear.

He made it plain that he wants players fully committed to joining his project, rather than ones who need convincing.

That leaves Lazio needing to look elsewhere for their next centre-forward.

Milan’s Approval Still Needed For Giménez Exit

The key outstanding point remains Milan’s sign-off on any transfer.

Porto have opened direct talks with Milan over a loan with an option to buy, rather than an outright sale.

Milan are believed to be seeking at least €20m to avoid taking a net loss on the deal.

That figure matters given the numbers involved: Milan paid around €35m to sign Giménez from Feyenoord in February 2025, on a contract that runs until 2029.

Those factors give Milan leverage, and little urgency to sanction a cut-price departure.

What’s Next For The Santiago Giménez Transfer

For now, Giménez is pointed toward Porto rather than Lazio.

The player has given his own answer. What’s missing is the deal between the two clubs that would let him leave.

Unless Milan give the green light, Giménez remains a Milan player regardless of where he’d rather be.

The next move in this saga sits with Milan’s boardroom, not with Porto or the player.

Marco Ferraro

Marco Ferraro

Marco Ferro is an Italian sports journalist and lead writer for FootItalia, specializing in the intricate dynamics of Serie A and the Italian national team. Known for his tactical analysis and deep understanding of the peninsula's footballing culture, Ferro provides expert coverage of Italy's biggest clubs, from the tactical shifts at Juventus to the intense rivalries of the Derby d’Italia.

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