The Feyenoord football club is on the hunt for young Mexican talent to fill the void left by Santiago Giménez, who recently transferred to AC Milan for 35 million euros. The club has turned its attention to 18-year-old forward Stephano Carrillo, currently playing for Santos Laguna, as his potential replacement.
According to reports from 1908.nl, Feyenoord has initiated discussions with Santos Laguna to acquire Carrillo, who is highly regarded for his performance at the youth levels of the Mexican national team. Discussions are taking place as the transfer market deadline looms on February 4, 2025.
With Giménez's departure marking the end of his impactful stay at Feyenoord, the entity now seeks to reinvest the money from his sale wisely. Reports suggest Feyenoord aims to use some of the funds acquired from the Giménez transfer to bolster its squad. Direct offers have already been made to Santos Laguna for Carrillo, signaling the club's commitment to securing the talented young striker.
Although Carrillo's primary experience lies with the Santos Laguna youth teams, he has also seen some action with the senior squad, scoring his first professional goal during the 2024 season. His statistics reveal promising potential, having netted three goals across various youth competitions and contributed significantly to the U-17 national team, where he scored 26 times in 33 appearances.
The intention from Feyenoord is to initially integrate Carrillo with their youth academy, allowing him time to adapt before stepping up to the first team. This strategy reflects the club's long-term vision, with reports stating, "They are working to close his signing before the market deadline," according to Deportes Total MX.
Given his current price tag of around 1 million euros, Carrillo's acquisition is not expected to be financially burdensome for Feyenoord. One source noted, "Feyenoord has expressed interest and made concrete offers for Stephano Carrillo," adding to the excitement surrounding the young player's future.
Alongside Carrillo, Feyenoord is also reported to be exploring options to bring in other players, including Brazilian striker Rômulo and Malian midfielder Mamadou Sangaré, indicating the club's desire to refresh its lineup post-Giménez.
Feyenoord's leadership views Carrillo not just as a filling player for the current season but as part of their broader rebuilding plan, aiming to keep competing at the elite level of European football. Various reports echo the sentiment, emphasizing Carrillo's prowess and potential impact on the Dutch side.
The clock is ticking as the transfer window nears its end. With only hours to finalize any agreements, Feyenoord is pushing to secure Carrillo's services. The anticipation surrounding his transition to the Eredivisie is palpable, especially as the young forward prepares potentially for the next chapter of his career.
Feyenoord's decision to pursue another Mexican talent demonstrates their commitment to tapping the growing pool of footballers from Mexico, who have made their mark on European football. Carrillo's recruitment would provide not only immediate reinforcement but possibly pave the way for future stars to emerge from Mexico, continuing the country’s strong football legacy.
Should the deal for Carrillo materialize, it could mark the beginning of another exciting era for both the player and the club, as they both aim to achieve greater heights on the pitch.