Manchester United target Raul Jimenez has revealed that Wolverhampton Wanderers will sell him for no less than 34.5 million, if at all.
As quoted by The Sun, Manchester United will have to unload at least £34.5 million if they want to secure the services of Mexican striker Raul Jimenez, the Wolves superstar has revealed.
Raul Jimenez, now 28, moved to Wolves from Benfica, initially on loan in the summer of 2018. His stint at Benfica, where he spent three seasons, was far from ideal. He was constantly in and out of the team and the fans had not particularly taken to him well.
After Wolves were promoted in the 2017-18 season under Nuno Espirito Santo, there was not a lot expected from Jimenez. The Mexican though, took Premier League into his stride and ended the season as one of the league’s highest scorers, netting 13 goals, making him the protagonist as Wolves reached the Europa League, their first qualification to a European competition in 39 years.
Jimenez has quickly become a fan favourite at Wolves, and has already matched his goal tally from last season. The Mexican’s streaky form has attracted interest from several clubs, one of them being Manchester United, having also been linked with the former Atletico Madrid striker before the season commenced as well as in the January transfer window.
Jimenez would add a lot of firepower to what is already a star studded attack. But, players of the quality of the 28-year-old do not come cheap. Talking about a potential move away from Wolves, Jimenez said, “Wolves bought me for €40 million (£34.5 million), they won’t sell me for less. There is no release clause, but with clubs [in England], it is different how they are managed.”
The Mexican is in the middle of a four-year permanent deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers, which ends in 2023. As for Manchester United, they did sign Odion Ighalo on loan from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Greenland Shenhua in winter.
Manchester United are believed to have an option to buy Ighalo permanently in the summer transfer window. But, it is not a given that Ighalo would make the permanent switch to Old Trafford once the season ends, which is why Manchester United seem to be keeping their options open over the signing of a striker.
Jimenez, to that end, would be an excellent addition to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s project at United, and would provide some much-needed competition to Anthony Martial for the starting spot. What now remains to be seen is if a potential £34.5 million bid would be enough to prise him away from Wolves, and if Manchester United are even willing to lodge a bid.