Wolverhampton Wanderers ready to part ways with Raúl Jiménez
Wolves’ new manager, Julen Lopetegui, has reportedly made the Mexican striker available in the upcoming transfer window.
Just when Raúl Jiménez was getting back to his peak form following a skull fracture surgery in November 2020, he suffered a groin injury at the start of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign. The 31-year-old striker missed the last 12 matches for Wolverhampton Wanderers, recovering in time to represent Mexico during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar this winter.
The Mexican striker didn’t start a game during the tournament and he only played 59 minutes. Jiménez came off the bench against Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia and he was unable to find the back of the net in his third World Cup appearance for the Mexico national team. El Tri finished in third place in Group C and now he has to return to his club ahead of the re-start of the season.
Jiménez could leave in January
The Mexican national team failed to make it past the group stage and Raúl Jiménez is expected to return to the Molineaux for a 10-day training camp that will be held in Marbella. Wolverhampton Wanderers will be playing a friendly against Empoli on Friday at Campo La Quinta. Wolves’ new boss, Julen Lopetegui, has reportedly told the people in charge to make Raúl Jiménez available in the upcoming transfer window.
The Spanish manager was happy with the performances of Diego Costa and Daniel Podence in the 2-2 draw over Birmingham over the weekend at Compton Park. Both strikers found the back of the net in his first game in charge and he wants to give this attacking duo more minutes together ahead of the start of the Premier League season.
With the arrival of Lopetegui, the future of Raúl Jiménez is up in the air and he will have to earn the trust of the new manager if he wants to remain at Molineux at least for the remainder of the season. Wolves’ sporting director Matt Hobbs gave an update on Raúl Jiménez’ status at the club earlier this week.
“The ten days will give the coaching staff further opportunities to lay out their ideas to the players and the games against European opposition will provide a useful test, as we prepare for the return of the Premier League in the coming weeks.
“While out in Spain, we’re looking forward to welcoming Raul back to the group, giving Julen further opportunities to assess his squad and share his philosophy, tactics and mindset, going into an important period after the World Cup.”