In an unexpected move, Fulham Football Club’s pursuit of Wolves and Mexico striker Raúl Jiménez has left fans raising their eyebrows. While Jiménez initially showed promise in his early Premier League career, a severe injury hampered his form and scoring ability. With a meager record of zero goals in 15 Premier League matches last season and only three goals in 35 games across all competitions, concerns are mounting over whether he can truly replace the outgoing Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Some Fulham supporters have begun to question the club’s recruitment strategy and suggest exploring alternative targets, such as Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun, who could inject a more dynamic attacking style into the team.
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The potential sale of Aleksandar Mitrovic, which could be interpreted as a choice placing money over motives, has left fans disheartened. Although Fulham attempted to price him out of a move to Saudi Arabia, all attempts failed, and Mitrovic walked away with a substantial payday as he concludes his six-year stay at Craven Cottage. However, the Serbian striker’s behavior during Fulham’s pre-season tour in the USA has caused a stir, with Mitrovic noticeably absent from training amid swirling rumors of his imminent departure. His attitude and apparent disregard for the club’s interests have left fans questioning his loyalty.
In another twist of emotions, Fulham faithful were faced with the news of Marco Silva’s potential move to Al Ahli. Nevertheless, to the fans’ relief, Silva expressed his loyalty by rejecting offers from Saudi Arabia and deciding to stay with the club. Silva’s refusal of substantial financial incentives not once but twice highlights his commitment to the Fulham project and belief in the club’s potential. With the upcoming season on the horizon, having a manager who is fully dedicated and motivated is pivotal to their aspirations for success.
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Now, delving into Raúl Jiménez’s potential move to Fulham, the transfer fee seems to be one that could tempt a risk assessment. Considering the financial aspects and the changes in Jiménez’s market value, Fulham would only need to pay approximately $7 million, a significantly lower amount than his previous market value of €55 million in 2020. This decline in value can be attributed to his injury struggles and decreased goal-scoring form.
However, there will undoubtedly be high expectations for Jiménez to rediscover his form and become a key player for the team. Fulham, a historic club in the Premier League, aims to improve on their 10th-place finish from the previous season. The club must rely on Jiménez’s goal-scoring prowess to bolster their attacking options and enhance their chances of success in the league.
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Despite the lack of confidence stemming from his injury and struggles, a change in environment coupled with the man-management skills of Marco Silva could be precisely what Jiménez needs to reignite his career. There is a potent striker within him, as we have witnessed in the past. Furthermore, injuries have been known to hinder the confidence of even the best players. Fulham fans must give him a chance to prove himself. It’s worth noting that Wolves were the lowest-scoring side last season, so with more opportunities, goals are bound to come, thus restoring his confidence.
Moreover, there are rumblings among the fans that another number nine is anticipated to arrive after Jiménez. The potential departure of Mitrovic could leave Fulham with just Vini and Jiménez as striking options. Some supporters speculate that the club should secure a new striker with the substantial funds obtained from Mitrovic’s sale, leaving Vini, Jiménez, and the new acquisition to form a potent attacking trio.
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At the mentioned fees, this transfer could potentially turn into a remarkable coup for Fulham, representing a risk worth taking. The coming days will reveal whether the pursuit of Raúl Jiménez proves fruitful for Fulham and their aspirations for success in the upcoming season.
