Raul Jimenez is reportedly set to join Premier League newcomers Wolverhampton Wanderers from Primeira Liga side Benfica.
Back in January, when Wolverhampton Wanderers were already looking like the inevitable Championship winners, the Express and Star pointed out that Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were already looking at players who would improve their squad ahead of a return to the Premier League.
It was always likely that Wolves would have to be ruthless this summer. The club’s Chinese owners are dreaming of European football as early as possible, so even the players who made a major impact as they stormed to the Championship title were at risk of being replaced and upgraded.
And, in all honesty, Leo Bonatini did not really give Wolves any choice.
The Brazilian striker enjoyed a brilliant start to life in English football after arriving on loan from Al-Hilal last summer. But the last of his 12 goals came in December.
Bonatini went 26 games without scoring in the final six months of the season and Wolves will reportedly not be taking up the option to sign him permanently for £5 million.
It seems that Wolves already have a replacement lined up. Marca claim that the impending arrival of Raul Jimenez on a season-long loan from Benfica is the clearest sign yet that there is no future for Bonatini at Molineux.
Like Bonatini, Mexican international Jimenez is a strong, tall striker who is renowned for leading the line well and linking up with the attacking midfielders. He is, quite simply, a better version of Bonatini and a signing that shows there is no room for sentiment.
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