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Milan’s Moncada Reveals Challenges in Signing Gimenez, Hints at Felix Stay

MILAN, Italy — AC Milan‘s technical director Geoffrey Moncada has opened up about the challenges the club faced in securing the signing of Santiago Gimenez during the winter transfer window, while also hinting at the possibility of Joao Felix staying permanently.
Moncada, speaking to SportMediaset ahead of Milan‘s Coppa Italia quarter-final clash against Roma at San Siro, described the negotiation for Gimenez as ‘very difficult.’ The 22-year-old Mexican striker, who previously played for Cruz Azul and Feyenoord, was a top target for the Rossoneri. ‘We knew him from his time at Cruz Azul, and we always had contact with him,’ Moncada said. ‘With Dutch clubs, it is always difficult, as we saw with Reijnders. Gimenez pushed hard to come, and his agent played a key role.’
Gimenez, who won the Eredivisie title with Feyenoord in the 2022-23 season, was one of five signings made by Milan during the winter window. The others included Kyle Walker, Warren Bondo, Riccardo Sottil, and Joao Felix. While Bondo is sidelined with a minor injury, the rest are available for selection as Milan aims to secure a Champions League spot and make deep runs in both the Champions League and Coppa Italia.
Moncada also addressed the future of Joao Felix, who joined on loan from Chelsea. ‘It depends on us and on him,’ Moncada said. ‘There is always a possibility. We have a really good relationship with Chelsea, and we’ll see in the summer.’
When asked about the importance of the Coppa Italia, Moncada emphasized its significance. ‘They are all goals for us. Tonight we can go to the semi-finals: it is very important,’ he said.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, AC Milan’s club advisor, expressed his satisfaction with the signing of Gimenez. ‘We had monitored Giménez for many months,’ Ibrahimovic said. ‘We tried to sign him in July, but the situation was different then. He is a great signing, and he’s very eager to start.’
Milan’s busy transfer window reflects their ambition to compete on multiple fronts this season. With Gimenez and Felix now part of the squad, the Rossoneri are hoping to build momentum as they chase silverware and a return to Europe’s elite competition.