Raul Jimenez celebrates after scoring a goal (Getty Images)
According to a report from ESPN, Tottenham are interested in signing Wolves striker Raul Jimenez in the summer.
Raul Jimenez, 28, signed for Wolves on loan from Benfica last season, scoring 17 goals and registering eight assists. The Mexican international turned that move permanent in the summer and during the 2019/20 season and has scored 22 goals and 10 assists in 43 matches across all competitions.
He has been in sensational form for the Wanderers this campaign, helping them to the last 16 of the Europa League and they sit sixth in the Premier League as well, chasing down a Champions League finish. The report adds that Arsenal are also interested in Jimenez, who is contracted at the Molineux until June 2023.
Meanwhile, Tottenham desperately need to spend big in the summer after recently being eliminated from both the FA Cup and Champions League. That means a top-four finish in the Premier League is all Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has got left to play for. However, it remains to be seen whether or not his injury-hit side can really salvage their season.
Spurs have lost their identity and have not found an effective way of playing under Mourinho, especially after losing Harry Kane and Son Heung-min to injuries. Kane is the only natural centre-forward Tottenham have in their ranks, and unsurprisingly Mourinho’s side have struggled for goals in the England international’s absence.
Son’s arm fracture compounded more misery to the Spurs manager, who also lost January signing Steven Bergwijn to a long-term injury last week. Tottenham are struggling to score goals, having netted 47 in 29 games so far. In Kane and Son’s absence, Mourinho has used either Lucas Moura or Dele Alli in the No.9 role, but neither of them has been effective.
Considering the North London club have very little in their squad at centre-forward beyond injured star Kane, Mourinho should plot a summer swoop for Raul Jimenez.
Jimenez has proved himself in the Premier League and is the leading striker for Wolves. He has netted 26 goals in 67 Premier League appearances. Overall, the striker has racked up 39 goals and 18 assists in 87 appearances for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. The Mexican is currently one of the in-form strikers in England’s top-flight, thus it is no surprise that the big clubs are looking at him ahead of the summer transfer window.
A top goalscorer, Jimenez would undoubtedly bolster Tottenham’s attack, whilst bringing competition within the squad as well. He could be the perfect player to cover and compete with Kane for a spot in Mourinho’s starting XI. The Mexican international has done very well for Wolves and there are chances of him establishing himself at a higher level under the guidance of Mourinho.
Jimenez looks like the perfect target for Spurs in the summer and they should do all they can to bring him to North London.