AC Milan legend and current club advisor, Zlatan Ibrahimović, has made a bold claim regarding the club’s transfer strategy, asserting that their pursuit of Feyenoord’s Santiago Giménez is not contingent on the outcome of their clash against Dinamo Zagreb. But is this just classic Ibrahimović bravado, or is there more going on behind the scenes?

Milan’s Striker Crisis: A Giménez-Shaped Hole?

It’s no secret that AC Milan is in dire need of attacking reinforcements. With Olivier Giroud aging, Luka Jović failing to convince, and Rafael Leão often carrying the offensive burden, the Rossoneri need a reliable goal scorer. Giménez, a 22-year-old Mexican striker, has been on fire for Feyenoord, drawing attention from top European clubs.

However, Ibrahimović’s insistence that Milan’s pursuit of the forward is independent of their Champions League or Europa League qualification raises eyebrows.

The Financial Reality: A Deal Without UCL?

Milan’s ability to attract top talent hinges on their European performance. A failure to progress in European competition could mean a significant revenue shortfall, limiting their ability to meet Feyenoord’s reported €50 million valuation for Giménez.

Would Milan really commit to such a hefty investment without the financial security of Champions League money? Unlikely. Ibrahimović may be posturing to maintain leverage in negotiations, but history suggests Milan has always been cautious with big-money deals unless their financials are secure.

The Ibrahimović Factor: A Smokescreen?

Zlatan is no stranger to mind games. His comments could be a tactical move to downplay Milan’s desperation, preventing Feyenoord from increasing their asking price. Or perhaps, Milan has alternative targets in mind and wants to keep their real intentions under wraps.

Could this also be a sign that Milan is hedging their bets on other strikers, possibly in cheaper markets like South America or Portugal?

A Dangerous Game for Milan?

If Milan fails to qualify for European knockout rounds and still goes after Giménez, it could stretch their budget significantly—potentially at the cost of other needed reinforcements in midfield and defense. The Rossoneri can’t afford another Charles De Ketelaere-style gamble, where a big signing fails to justify his price tag.

So, while Ibrahimović may insist the Dinamo result is irrelevant, the reality is more complicated. A loss could force Milan to rethink their strategy entirely.

What do you think? Is Ibrahimović telling the full story, or is Milan’s pursuit of Giménez more uncertain than he’s letting on?