HANDS OFF JIMENEZ
Ambitious Wolves warn suitors their star striker is not for sale
WOLVES have told Europe’s biggest clubs to cross Raul Jimenez off their shopping lists.
The £80million-valued Mexico striker is being tracked by Real Madrid, Manchester United and Arsenal, among others.
But mega-rich Wolves, backed by billionaire Chinese owners, have issued a ‘hands-off’ warning to anyone thinking of making a move.
Jimenez, 28, has become one of the hottest properties around after making a massive splash since coming into the Premier League in 2018. He has scored almost a goal every other game this season, with 22 in 45 appearances.
He is under contract for another three years and Wolves chairman Jeff Shi and owners Fosun International are ready to put a block on any talk of Jimenez leaving.
The 6ft 3in striker has spearheaded Wolves’ massive strides over the past two seasons.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo is keen to hang on to his star man and he will now be backed at executive level. In fact, Wolves hope to spend again whenever the transfer window reopens to try and ram home their Champions League aspirations. Jimenez said this week he is happy to stay at Molineux but that will not stop clubs testing Wolves’ resolve. Fosun are determined to make the side one of the major players in Europe and are ready to emphasise they are no longer a selling club. Jimenez joined Nuno’s men on a season-long loan from Benfica in June 2018 and his 15 goals in 37 games helped the promoted club finish seventh in their first season back in the top flight.
Wolves exercised an option to buy for a club-record £30m fee a year ago. His goals and link-up play have been a major reason behind their push for a top-six spot.
Jimenez moved to Benfica in 2015 after a season at Atletico Madrid and his 31 goals in 120 games helped them to back-to-back Portuguese titles, the Portuguese Cup and League Cup.