Juventus To Replace Liverpool In Chasing One Of Europe's Top Prospects

Serie A giant Juventus is taking over Liverpool's pursuit as the Premier League leader reportedly backed out from chasing one of Europe’s top prospects.

Raul Jimenez of Wolverhampton Wanderers has been a big target across Europe’s top five leagues. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side Manchester United and Liverpool have been reportedly courting Jimenez for a potential transfer deal this summer. In LaLiga, Real Madrid topped everybody else in chasing the Mexican striker.

However, things made a huge turnaround on Sunday (June 21) as Calcio Mercato (via The Mail) reported that the Reds are now pulling out from the race to sign Jimenez. The situation seemed to draw attention from Juventus, who is still moving on from the devastating defeat in the Coppa Italia against Napoli.

The report further stated that the Old Lady has now joined United and Real Madrid in luring the Wolves star. Each club linked to Jimenez has different reported reasons for attempting to land the 29-year-old goal scorer.

The Red Devils are said to be looking for a new striker ahead of the transfer window. Madrid, on the other hand, reportedly hopes to add another lethal scorer to pair with Karim Benzema, while his new suitor Juventus is rumored to be considering a younger replacement for veteran Gonzalo Higuain.

Only Liverpool will not be making a move for Jimenez this summer as sources claimed that Jurgen Klopp’s side has decided to pause their previously growing interest in the Mexico striker.

Jimenez emerged as one of Wolves' top performers this season. In the club’s recent 2-0 win over West Ham, Jimenez has once again put on an impressive showing, scoring a goal alongside Pedro Neto. But prior to this, Jimenez first generated quite a buzz in Europe after once becoming the most searched soccer player on the internet, beating the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

So far, Jimenez has scored a total of 23 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions. After being on loan from Benfica, he made his move with the Wolves permanent last summer for a fee of £37 million ($45.6 million) following an incredible season.

In an interview with ESPN earlier in May, Jimenez said that he wouldn’t let a good offer from a great club pass him by. However, he doesn’t want to leave the Wolves without winning a world title.

"If you tell me that tomorrow an offer from Real Madrid or Barcelona comes, it is obvious that you do not let such an opportunity go. But if I stay here I am fighting to qualify for the Champions League. I think that I made the right decision to come here [to Wolves] and I do not regret it,” he said.