Wolves
Premier League • England
Raul Jimenez reveals stance on Wolves contract while making no secret of preferred next club
Raul Jimenez has hinted he could look to sign a contract extension with Wolves, although he has named one other club he would like to represent.
Jimenez has been a Wolves player since the 2018-19 season, which was their first back in the Premier League. Arriving from Benfica as a high-profile recruit, he enjoyed a prolific couple of seasons.
In his first campaign with Wolves, Jimenez scored 17 goals from 44 games. In the process, he helped them qualify for Europa League involvement, which was a remarkable achievement for a promoted club.
His loan move to Wolves then became permanent, preceding a second season in which he got 27 goals from 55 games. However, four goals into his third year with the club, he suffered a serious head injury.
Jimenez has not been as prolific since his return. For example, last season, he only scored six goals from 36 appearances in all competitions.
At the age of 31, though, he could have something to prove still. He is yet to get off the mark in the Premier League this season, but has got one goal from his four appearances in all competitions thanks to an effort in the Carabao Cup.
The Mexico international has encountered an injury issue recently. However, when he is back, he will be competing with new signing Diego Costa for a place up front. Fellow summer addition Sasa Kalajdzic will be out long-term with his own injury.
Hence, there remains space in the squad for Jimenez to make his mark. By the end of the season, he will be entering the final year of his contract, so it could be important to make the most of any opportunities he gets.
Of course, at that stage, Wolves might have to decide whether to sell him or renew his contract. But the striker has confirmed he would be open to choosing the latter solution and extending his stay.
He told TUDN: “Yes, why not? I have this year and another year left on my contract. You never know what might happen and you don’t have to close the doors to anyone either.
“We will have to see what is best and from there make decisions. But I feel happy, with a lot of desire to continue here.”
Raul Jimenez has next club in mind
However, Jimenez can already envisage what his future away from Wolves might look like. Having come through the ranks at Club America in his native Mexico, he has opened the door to an eventual return.
On the topic of heading back home when the time comes, he replied: “I would like to. It’s always a possibility.
“I’ve said it since I left, if one day I have to return, I would be delighted. It’s one of the possibilities. If it’s good, go ahead, do it in the best way.”
That said, he cannot put a timeframe on when he would like the move to happen. For now, he has reiterated his desire to keep going with Wolves.
Jimenez added: “Let things flow. If I continue playing here (at Wolves), hopefully for many years, and then I get there at 37, they will say, ‘no, hang on a second’, it’s not the same.
“However, no one knows what will happen, and whatever happens will do so naturally.”
Wolves are the club Raul Jimenez has represented the most in his career. His overall record for them stands at 150 appearances, 55 goals and 23 assists.