Everton only club to make an offer for Raul Jimenez

With Everton reportedly the only team to submit a bid for striker Raul Jimenez, will Benfica allow the Mexican international to move to Merseyside?

Several weeks ago, we shared information from a report by talkSPORT, indicating Everton had made an offer for Raul Jimenez. Citing Portuguese newspaper The Record, talkSPORT wrote the bid was worth £39 million.

However, if the latest speculation is to be believed, it seems the earlier information is only half right. Apparently, the Blues have made an offer for Jimenez, but not for £39 million.

The new information comes to light, courtesy of 101 Great Goals. Scott Morris writes that Everton’s bid is actually in the region of £25 million.

If true, this is apparently only half of what Benfica consider their striker to be worth. Further, Morris adds the Portuguese club have allegedly already rejected an offer of around £45 million.

As such, you have to wonder how likely it is for Jimenez to make the move to Merseyside? However, all hope may not be lost.

Referencing Sports Witness, where 101 Great Goals originally obtained their information from, Morris indicates the offer of £45 million may not be true. In addition, it is claimed the Toffees are the only club to actually make a bid for Jimenez.

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Taking into consideration how much of all this information is actually genuine, you would assume Everton will need to up their bid for the Mexican international, who has scored 12 goals in 54 appearances for his country. Further, Benfica are — at least theoretically — operating from a position of strength, with his current contract still having three years to run.

Of course, there are other factors to account for, including whether Jimenez would even accept a move to England? He famously failed to show up for his medical to complete a loan move to West Ham United a couple of years ago, claiming he overslept and missed his flight.

(At the time, a report indicated his agent Jorge Mendes suggested he spurn the move and wait for a better opportunity to present itself.)

One reason the 26-year-old may be agreeable to joining the Blues, comes down to the opportunity to play regular first team football. Last season, he only starting six league games.

However, this lack of action doesn’t mean Everton are wrong to make a move for Jimenez. Even allowing for the other 13 league appearances as a substitute, his return of six goals — and seven overall — represents a pretty good strike rate.

Next: Diego Costa unlikely to join Blues

Where does Jimenez rank for you, compared to the other strikers the Blues have been linked with this summer? How likely is it to expect him to leave Benfica and move to Merseyside? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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