Wolves make big Raul Jimenez move after Fulham announcement | OneFootball

Wolves have made a significant step towards re-signing Raul Jimenez on a free transfer

Wolverhampton Wanderers could soon secure the return of striker Raul Jimenez, who was released by Premier League outfit Fulham on Monday.

The 35-year-old scored nine goals in 36 top-flight appearances for the Craven Cottage side last season, but he is now looking for a new club ahead of next term.

Jimenez has been selected in co-hosts Mexico's World Cup squad, and will hope to produce the goods in upcoming group stage clashes with South Africa, South Korea, and Czechia.

The tournament gets underway this Thursday when Javier Aguirre's men meet South Africa in Mexico City.

Meanwhile, Wolves are vying to strengthen their attack following their relegation to the Championship, and have firmly set their sights on bringing Jimenez back to Molineux.

Wolves make big step towards bringing Raul Jimenez back to Molineux

Action Images

Jimenez initially joined Wolves on loan from Benfica in the summer of 2018, agreeing permanent terms a year later, and established himself as a strong goalscorer in the Premier League.

The Mexico international helped the Molineux club secure back-to-back seventh-place finishes in the top flight in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons.

He instantly became a favourite among Wolves supporters by notching 13 goals and seven assists in his first Premier League season, featuring in all 38 games.

The best was still yet to come from the former Atletico Madrid man, though, as he scored 27 goals and registered nine assists across all competitions during the 2019/20 campaign.

That return included 10 goals and three assists in the Europa League, helping the West Midlands side reach the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by eventual champions Sevilla.

Jimenez stayed with Wolves until the summer of 2023, when he joined Fulham, where he would go on to spend three seasons.

The ex-Benfica star wasn't at his best in his first season with the West London outfit, but he has largely produced the goods in both of his last two campaigns.

Now, according to the Express & Star, Wolves staff have travelled to Mexico to try and complete a deal to re-sign Jimenez by the end of the week, after it was announced officially by the Cottagers that the veteran striker will be departing Craven Cottage this summer on a free transfer.

Raul Jimenez could be exactly what Rob Edwards needs to enjoy successful Championship season

Action Images

Wolves finished bottom of the Premier League in the recently concluded season, earning just three wins from their 38 top-flight fixtures.

Following his side's relegation, boss Rob Edwards has a big point to prove, even though he was appointed in November, rather than beginning the season in the Molineux dugout.

There is a lot of pressure on the former Middlesbrough, Luton Town, and Watford boss to take Wolves back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

With that in mind, signing Jimenez could be exactly what Edwards needs, as the Mexico international's previous top-flight showings for both Wanderers and Fulham suggest that he would be a real threat in the Championship, even though he celebrated his 35th birthday last month.

There are also emotional ties between the veteran and Wolves, so bringing him back to Molineux would improve the morale of a club that suffered a woeful Premier League season.