Chelsea will be in the market for another striker in the next transfer window and Wolves star Raul Jimenez “would be a great fit” for the Blues, says Craig Burley.
The Mexico international has seen exit talk start to build around him at Molineux.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed a productive 18 months in English football, with 39 goals recorded in 88 appearances. Those efforts have shown that he can be a reliable option in the Premier League, with the promise of a lot more to come from him.
Manchester United are among those said to be keeping a close eye on Jimenez’s development, with Chelsea also in the mix as Frank Lampard mulls over his options.
Burley believes the Blues will look to add further firepower to their ranks over the summer, and the Scot feels those at Stamford Bridge may look to talk a domestic rival into a deal.
He told ESPN FC of Jimenez’s links to United and Chelsea: “I think he would be a great fit at both clubs.
“Chelsea are in need of a striker. Tammy Abraham has done well, but whether he can continue to do that remains to be seen. Olivier Giroud will be short-term at Chelsea, so they are in the market. I think United will target a higher market, bigger name player.”
Getty ImagesJimenez penned a contract through to 2023 when completing a club-record move to Wolves on a permanent basis. The ambitious West Midlands outfit have no desire to sanction a sale, but the exploits of a prolific presence may see them forced into a corner.
Burley added: “That decision may be taken out of their hands.
“Do Wolves have a chance if the season started up again of getting in the top four? I think they do have a good shot at it – they’ve got a good enough squad.
“However, Raul Jimenez really is at that crux point of his career where he’s coming to an age where it’s a big, big decision. If he doesn’t make the right one now, then it comes and goes.
“I think that if Wolves don’t make the top four then Raul Jimenez, as good as Wolves have been for him, should be looking to bigger and better things before he gets to that other side of 30. Once he gets there, the suitors are not out there as much.”
The 2019-20 campaign has been the most productive of Jimenez’s career to date, with 22 goals recorded before football shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic.