‘Jimenez watched by West Ham’. O Jogo’s headline makes it sound like the Hammers have especially sent scouts to watch the striker, but the actual story is completely different.
Benfica are having their preseason at St. George’s Park this summer, and on Tuesday they allowed representatives from English clubs to watch their training session.
O Jogo reports that twenty five different sides were represented by officials in the stand, but of course, they point out that West Ham had one of their men there.
So they’ve linked one thing to other, and claim that since West Ham have recently been linked to Jimenez, they would ‘certainly’ have an special attention on the striker.
There’s probably at least something in it. Other clubs from around Europe, including Benfica, have used St Geroge’s Park previously without inviting representatives. Given Benfica’s position as a continual selling club, it’s not unreasonable to think they were inviting officials to scout their players, with all parties knowing that.
O Jogo claim West Ham would like to have Jimenez alongside Javier Hernandez, and at around €20-30m it wouldn’t be a bad idea, but Benfica have price ideas which don’t conform with reality.
