Juventus Close To Signing $94M Striker, Who Is Also Linked To Manchester United: Report

Juventus are reportedly trying to beat Manchester United in the race to sign Wolves striker Raul Jimenez in the ongoing summer transfer window.

Jimenez scored 26 goals in as many as 53 competitive matches this season including 17 in the Premier League and helped Wolves to finish seventh in the table. He netted six goals in Europa League’s qualifying rounds before Wolves made it to the main draw. Jimenez added three more to his account in the European tournament and has helped Wolves make it to the last-16, which is due to take place next month.

Portuguese media outlet RTP Desporto has reported that the Mexico striker is well on his way to the Old Trafford this summer. The same report also said that Wolves have already sealed a deal to sign his replacement. The Premier League side has identified Brazilian Paulinho, who currently plays for Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande, as Jimenez’s ideal substitute.

The 29-year-old Jimenez had said earlier this year that although he is contracted with Wolves until 2023, he is open to exploring options outside the club.

A report in the Spanish publication AS said that Juventus have jumped into the scene and are looking to pip Man Utd to Jimenez’s transfer, whose fee is expected to be around $94 million. The AS report claimed that Juventus are close to sealing the deal and if it does happen, Jimenez will become the most expensive Mexican player in soccer history.

Man Utd are already chasing Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, who has been their top target this summer. The Red Devils made an initial bid of $114 million, which was straightaway rejected by the Bundesliga side. Dortmund have made it clear that they will not sell Sancho for anything less than $140 million.

Sancho, whose current Dortmund contract will expire in June 2022, has scored 20 goals in 44 matches this season. Since Sancho has been heavily linked with a move away from Dortmund this summer, the German side have begun to look for a replacement and have identified Jonathan Ikone of French club Lille as a replacement for Sancho.