Manchester United have reportedly been linked with a move for Wolves’ in-form striker Raul Jimenez to give manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer more options upfront.
The Mexican striker joined the Premier League side on a permanent deal last summer, after spending a year on loan at the club in the 2018-19 season.
According to Sky Sports, the Red Devils has turned their attention towards the 28-year-old striker, but a deal to bring him in January would be difficult.
Jimenez moved to Wolves from Benfica for £34 million, and has three and a half years remaining on his current contract.
In the 2018-19 season, Jimenez scored 17 goals in all competitions, 13 of which came in the league, and he has already reached that tally this season.
The Mexican has scored 9 goals in the Europa League and 8 in the Premier League this season. He is a key figure in the Mexican national team as well, having scored 24 times in 81 appearances.
Raul Jimenez – The forward Manchester United need?
Jimenez is a strong and powerful striker who can hold the ball up well, and bring his teammates into play.
He is very good in the air, and is also useful with the ball at his feet in and around the penalty area. Apart from his 8 goals in the league so far, Jimenez has also racked up 6 assists, showing how useful he can be in setting up teammates.
Manchester United need another striker in their ranks as they currently have just Marcus Rashford – who has been played out wide, Anthony Martial – who has been inconsistent as a No. 9, and young Mason Greenwood, who is inexperienced and not yet ready to be Manchester United’s first-choice striker on a regular basis.
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The Red Devils have missed the goals of Romelu Lukaku, but could add it back with the inclusion of Jimenez. While the Mexican is similar to Lukaku in his ability to hold up the ball and be physical, he is a much more mobile player who also has decent pace to get in behind defences.
The 28-year-old also has vast experience of playing in Europe, having previously turned out for Atletico Madrid and Benfica. Jimenez could be a good signing for United, having been very good for Wolves in the last one and a half seasons.
The only stumbling block will be the transfer fee as he signed only in the summer for a big sum of money. It will be interesting to see if United are willing to pay in and around the £50 million mark for a player who turns 29 later this year.