It’s a badly kept secret now, but Raul Jimenez is actually quite good at scoring goals.
The 27-year-old has now scored 11 in 29 games this season for Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are currently loaning him from Benfica but have an option to make the move permanent for €38m at the end of the season.
While that is a lot of money, even for a Premier League side, there’s little doubt the striker is on course to forcing his club to trigger said clause, especially if his form continues.
However, it could all have been very different had he accepted an offer to go to China instead of Molineux, which he discussed with Fox Sports in a recent interview relayed by Record.
He said: “I’m in a good moment. I had the belief and confidence that this was going to go well. Regarding the offer from China, it was a lot of money, but I knew it wasn’t the right moment.
“Everyone has different reasons for making these choices, to return or stay in Europe. I simply had faith that I could make a name for myself in Europe. I think that it’s working, I’m doing well without giving up.”
As well as China, the Benfica striker was also given the chance to return to his home country, with a number of Mexican sides knocking on his door.
In the end, it’s fair to say everyone, from the Wolves fans to Nuno Espirito Santo and to Jimenez himself, is happy with his decision for the time being.
