SOCCER
Barcelona tracking Mexico striker Raúl Jiménez
Raúl Jiménez has struggled for form after suffering serious injuries but could still reportedly end up at Barcelona in January.
It’s fair to say that Mexicans didn’t have the best of times at the Qatar 2022 World Cup but some have still managed to attract interest from top European clubs. Raúl Jiménez is one such case, with the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, who has been plagued by injuries in recent times, being closely monitored by Barcelona.
According to Turkish soccer journalist Ekrem Konur, the Catalan giants have been keeping a close eye on the Mexican international with a view to adding him to their roster in the winter transfer window.
Having spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Wolves, Jiménez signed up permanently at Molineux in the summer of 2019 and had been the focal point of the Premier League club’s attack up until he suffered a serious head injury in November 2020. Since returning to action, he has scored just eight goals in 42 matches in all competitions in England having previous netted 30 times in his first 76 Premier League games.
Why are Barcelona interested in Raúl Jiménez?
Several reports suggest that Barcelona could let Memphis Depay leave the club and are therefore looking for a direct replacement for the Dutchman, with the former América striker one possible option.
What injury problems has Raúl Jiménez had in recent years?
Jiménez fractured his skull after a clash of heads with Arsenal’s Brazilian defender David Luiz. He spent almost a year on the sidelines as a result and then also suffered pelvic issues, which worsened in September and very nearly kept him out of the World Cup in Qatar.
How did Raúl Jiménez fare at the Qatar 2022 World Cup?
Then-Mexico boss Gerardo Martino left it until the last moment to decide to include Jiménez on his roster and the attacker ultimately played for just over an hour at the tournament but could do little to prevent El Tri from making an early exit in the Middle East.