Everton were involved in a pretty strange transfer rumour earlier this month. The Portuguese press claimed the Toffees had made a €45m offer for the Benfica striker Raul Jimenez, and the Eagles would be demanding €50m.
That was strange because Jimenez isn’t even a regular starter at Benfica, so it would be hard to imagine Everton knocking on their door and offering all that money for him, and equally hard to imagine Benfica turning it down. He only scored seven league goals last season, so even though the transfer market is crazy these days, this one especially stood out.
The rumour died a few days later, with Everton given a break from a Portuguese saga developing, but Premier League interest is still mentioned and follows the player around.
Speaking to Mexican outlet Excelsior, Jimenez has talked about the chances of staying at Benfica for next season: “If I stay in Benfica I will be happy, I have no problem, I’m calm about it, but if there is a change I don’t close the doors to anything. Always know that the changes are for good. If there are offers we will analyse them the best way.”
Then he was asked about a move to England: “The Premier League is an attractive league, one of the best in the world and of course I would like to try my luck there. I don’t close myself to anything, but I don’t want to get ahead. There have been many rumours of important offers, but we have to wait and we will make the best decision.”
Jimenez probably knows Everton wouldn’t offer €45m for him, but there may be hope of some Goodison Park interest, because an offer of around €30m, in reality land rather than fantasy pushed by the Portuguese press, should be enough.
The opportunity is clearly one Jimenez would jump at, he’s making no secret of his Premier League ambitions, but whilst rumours remain only that, there’s nothing for him to really consider.
