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Wout Weghorst: Besiktas eyeing shock swoop for senior Wolves striker as potential replacement

Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore

Turkish giants Besiktas reportedly want to sign Wolves centre-forward Raul Jimenez to replace Wout Weghorst, who is set to join Manchester United this week. 

Mexico international Jimenez has been a key player for Wolves in the past but has struggled to find form in the Premier League this season.

United boss Erik ten Hag is keen to sign Weghorst in time for their derby against Manchester City on Saturday, so it’s expected Besiktas will now ramp up their pursuit of the striker.

Jimenez joined Wolves from Benfica in 2018 on a hefty £33million deal and initially hit the ground running.

In his first two seasons at Molineux, the striker netted 44 times overall, which made him very popular with the Wolves fanbase.

However, after suffering a horrific fractured skull injury at the beginning of the 2020-21 season, he has never really rediscovered that form.

This season, after eight appearances across all competitions, he has scored three goals, but they all came in the League Cup. In the Premier League, he has been a shadow of his former self, failing to score at all.

As a result, Jimenez has fallen behind the likes of Diego Costa, Hwang Hee-chan and Goncalo Guedes in the pecking order, so Wolves may consider selling him this winter.

Jimenez could get his career back on track at Besiktas

According to reports coming out of TurkeyBesiktas are looking to bring in an experienced Premier League striker to replace Weghorst and have made Jimenez their number-one target.

Weghorst, who joined the Turkish club on loan from Burnley, has arguably been their most important player, netting eight times in 16 league matches this season, also making four assists.

As they aim to close a 10-point gap on Super Lig leaders Galatasaray, manager Senol Gunes will be desperate to replace Weghorst as he finalises his move to Old Trafford this week.

There was some uncertainty regarding the transfer after negotiations hit a stumbling block, with the Turkish side demanding compensation for losing their main striker mid-season.

But, it now seems that United have come to an agreement with Besiktas after paying a compensation fee of £2.5million, according to reports.

As for the rumours linking Jimenez to a move to Turkey, this could be a win-win situation for both the player and Wolves.

A deal could allow the Mexico international to regain some form and confidence, while Wolves could recoup some transfer funds to do their own business this winter.

The West Midlands club have already signed Matheus Cunha on a loan-to-buy agreement this winter, while Julen Lopetegui is currently eyeing an ambitious swoop for a top-quality PSG player.

Transfermarkt currently value Jimenez at approximately £10.5million, but for a winter deal to take place you would expect an offer in excess of that would be required from Besiktas.

What is for sure, is that the Turkish giants will need to replace Weghorst’s goals imminently if they want to challenge for the title, so they may be forced to pay over the odds to sign the Wolves man.

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