Sunderland make contact over Santiago Gimenez signing

Sunderland have been in touch with AC Milan ahead of the January transfer window over potentially signing Santiago Gimenez.

The Black Cats are sitting fourth in the Premier League this term but outside of Wilson Isidor (four) no other attacking player has scored more than once.

Dan Ballard is next on the list with two after scoring in the draw with Arsenal, with Brian Brobbey's late equaliser against the Gunners' his first for Sunderland.

Sunderland had Marc Guiu on loan from Chelsea but the Spaniard was recalled earlier this term after injury to Liam Delap.

Sunderland and Brentford eye Santiago Gimenez deal

According to a report from Calciomercato Sunderland have contacted Milan over Gimenez, 24, who could leave to make room for a new striker at the Serie A giants.

Brentford are said to have also made an enquiry for the Mexican, who only joined from Feyenoord in the winter transfer window last season.

Despite interest from the Premier League duo Gimenez is still reportedly prioritising success in Italy, where he has scored seven goals in all competitions over the past year, but only once in the cup this term.

However, Massimiliano Allegri is said to want a double-digit goal-scorer and maintains hope in landing Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic.

Gimenez was prolific in the Eredivisie, scoring 45 times in 73 league games across two and a half seasons in the Netherlands, but hasn't been able to replicate that form so far in Italy.

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Brian Brobbey can kick on after Arsenal

The fact that Sunderland had Guiu in the squad at the start of the campaign showed Regis Le Bris felt he needed another central striker to choose from.

Clearly, the league position shows that the Black Cats have been doing fine without him, as they sit only a point behind Chelsea in the table and he'd barely been involved in the top flight before being recalled, although he did scored on his only start in the Carabao Cup against Huddersfield.

The hope will surely be that Brobbey is able to turn his dramatic first goal against Arsenal into a more regular return after his £20 million-plus move from Ajax.

The Dutchman is yet to start a Premier League game for the club but having got off the mark that could change, and may make a concerted push to bring in another striker in January unnecessary.

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