AC Milan’s sporting director and scouting staff are reportedly escalating their hunt for a new striker in the January transfer window, driven by deepening concerns over Santiago Giménez’s sustained goal drought. Franculino and Joaquín Panichelli have emerged as targets.

The Mexican international, despite demonstrating commitment and a willingness to sacrifice for the team, remains goalless in Serie A after eight matches (with just one Coppa Italia goal to his name this season), a situation that is causing major anxiety within the club, as reported by Daniele Longo of Calciomercato.com.

The lack of conversion from Giménez has strained the relationship with manager Massimiliano Allegri, who is said to be reaching his breaking point. Allegri initially tried to support the player psychologically but can no longer tolerate an unproductive attacker.

Longo details that the manager’s frustration boiled over during the recent match against the Tuscans, when he shouted: “Santi, wake up… are you sleeping?” This quote highlights that the manager’s patience is “now full,” forcing the club to look for immediate reinforcements.

Milan’s scouting directors, Igli Tare and Gianluca Moncada, have responded by drawing up a shortlist of young, high-potential attacking reinforcements. The club is monitoring two specific forwards closely: Panichelli and Franculino.

Panichelli, a 23-year-old Argentine currently at Strasbourg, is being followed with “great attention.” The forward has had an excellent start to the season in Ligue 1 and is viewed favorably by Milan’s scouts, though his high valuation and Strasbourg’s links to Chelsea could complicate a transfer.

The other name on the shortlist is the 21-year-old Guinea-Bissau international Franculino Djú, who plays for Midtjylland. Franculino has also attracted attention from clubs like Bayern Munich due to his ability to score consistently and his work ethic for the team, tallying 11 goals and 3 assists in the Danish Superliga, plus two in the Europa League. These names, along with the possibility of signing Roma’s Dovbyk, underscore Milan’s determination to bring in an immediate solution to the attack in January if Giménez fails to rediscover his form and Allegri’s confidence.