GdS: Striker Hokey Cokey – how Milan’s Gimenez-Dovbyk deal unfurled

A deal between AC Milan and Roma for their respective strikers dominated talk of deadline day. However, nothing ever finalised.

The swap for Santiago Gimenez and Artem Dovbyk was on and off several times yesterday, and even throughout the last week. It ended with the Mexican staying put, and Massimiliano Allegri will have to work with the striker now.

No moves

There were several ideas thrown about in the past week, with a swap deal considered, as well as a loan purely for Dovbyk. However, nothing ever occurred, with Gazzetta dello Sport stating that contacts were regularly stop-start.

Gimenez’s desire remained to stay in the Rossoneri colours, which he grew up dreaming of, and whilst Allegri does not see him as the ideal, his ethic to grow and impress for his team could see the Italian make the best of him.

Though there is the risk that he could become some sort of ‘luxury reserve’ for the Diavolo, too, this will be another drive to impress. After all, he chose to fight for his future rather than completely open up to a move away.

Even then, though, things failed only really when it came to finances. There was no agreement on the buy clauses within the potential loan deals, and developing both players without an option to buy serves no one any help. Then, ultimately, time ran out.

Gimenez will be the happiest party, given that he can continue to try to prove himself for his boyhood club. However, the pressure is now on for him to start returning his investment; Milan need him to.