Fulham are discovering that keeping Raúl Jiménez may not be as straightforward as expected, even after the striker produced a season that exceeded many expectations. Everton and Club América are both in the picture.
When the London club continued trusting the Mexican forward, there were obvious doubts about how much he still had left physically.
Instead, he has remained useful for Marco Silva. Jiménez has scored nine Premier League goals in 34 appearances this season, alongside three assists.
His underlying numbers are also respectable. His non-penalty xG total stands at 7.22, placing above 86% of the Premier League players. He also averages 2.92 shots every 90 minutes, scoring about 27% of them.
Those are strong stats for a 35-year-old striker many expected to decline much faster. And that is why Fulham still want to renew his contract.
According to journalist Christian Vaquero, though, negotiations are currently not advancing. And Everton and Club América are both closely monitoring the situation.
Fulham balancing short-term value and long-term reality
Raúl Jiménez still offers experience, a quailty hold-up play and reliable movement inside the box.
Fulham know replacing that profile is expensive and risky. A short-term extension may therefore make more sense than entering the market immediately for a new striker.
Still, there is another side to the discussion. Jiménez is now 35 and continues losing market value every month. Fulham may still trust his production, but they also know he is no longer a long-term asset.
In our lastest update, Jiménez said his future “depends a lot on what Fulham decides, on negotiations, on an offer being made, and then we’ll analyse what’s best”.
Everton interest fits Moyes profile
Raúl Jiménez being linked with Everton also makes sense given the way David Moyes usually builds his squads. Toffees’ interest was previously covered in March.
Moyes has often preferred experienced
forwards capable of bringing structure and reliability to an attack. Everton have struggled for goals this season, and a veteran striker with Premier League experience could help stabilise the forward line.
Even now, Jiménez still offers qualities Moyes tends to value highly. He can occupy defenders, connect play and help less productive attackers around him.
Mexican clubs watching closely
Adding to that, Raúl Jiménez is now at the stage where every contract negotiation becomes more delicate.
Fulham still want him, but Mexican clubs know situations like this can shift quickly. Club América are aware the Premier League side are trying to extend the relationship without taking major financial risks.
A return to Mexico has seemed inevitable for years. Club América recently ‘made room’ for his arrival. The question is whether Fulham can postpone it a little longer.
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