Fulham form may have changed transfer plan – Player’s priority made clear

Fulham’s push towards European football could end up changing Raúl Jiménez’s long-term plans.

That’s according to journalist Rubén Rodríguez. Soy Futbol cover his comments on the Mexican striker today.

Jiménez is set to be a free agent in the summer, when he turns 35-years-old. But he remains Fulham’s leading man, earning praise for his performances again this season.

So far there have been no talks about a contract renewal. That’s led to increased speculation that he could be set to depart Craven Cottage in the summer.

A return to Mexico, and his former club, Club América, is regularly mentioned. The striker has often fuelled those rumours, making it clear he’d love to return before retiring.

And a recent report indicated this summer could be the one in which it happens. Club América officials were eyeing up extra revenue from the World Cup to make the Fulham striker their ‘blockbuster signing’. That report indicated they were building funds to make the signing happen this summer.

Since then, though, Fulham have been quietly moving up the Premier League. They currently sit seventh, on 34 points, just four outside the top four. They’re only two behind Liverpool in sixth.

European football next season is a distinct possibility. And, according to Rodríguez, this would change Jiménez’s plans considerably.

“If the team enters European competitions, it will be very difficult for them not to renew the contract, and that is what America expects not to happen in order to convince him,” he said.

“If after the World Cup Sevilla goes for Raúl, although he offers him half of what America gives him, he does not come. His priority is to stay in Europe if there is a major option.”