West Ham fans may well remember a couple of summers ago, when Slaven Bilic spoke of his confidence West Ham could agree a deal to sign Raul Jimenez from Atletico Madrid.
Bilic made it sound like West Ham had already agreed a move for the Mexican, saying in a press conference: “Jimenez is close. We hope to get it done today or tomorrow.”
Unfortunately, nobody had informed Bilic that the very same morning the Portuguese press had been explaining Benfica’s done deal to sign Jimenez, and that’s where the striker ended up.
It’s been a reasonable move for all concerned, Jimenez scored 12 goals in his first season, across all competitions, and this season he’s on 10. But, given Benfica spent just over €20m on the Mexican, something Portuguese clubs simply don’t do, they probably expected more.
There were attempts to sell Jimenez to China this year, but those failed, and no Chinese club were prepared to answer Benfica’s prayers and pay Jimenez’s €60m release clause, or anything close to that. A sale this summer wouldn’t be a shock, and last night Jimenez put in one of his best performances of the season… with a West Ham official watching.
A Bola say a West Ham official was spotted at the match between Benfica and Vitoria Guimaraes. Benfica won their last home game of the season 5-0, and with it the Portuguese league title.
Jimenez hit the back of the net once.
Should Bilic want another try then around €30-35m may be enough for the 26 year old.
Vitoria Guimaraes also have a player recently linked with West Ham. Paolo Hurtado is owned by Reading, but on loan in Portugal this season, and West Ham were credited with interest at the end of April.
Hurtado didn’t have a good match, which would be expected in a 5-0 defeat. The Peruvian has scored 7 goals so far this season.
