Wolves sign Raul Jimenez on season-long loan deal from Benfica ahead of Premier League return
Mexican forward arrives at Molineaux as new signing Benik Afobe heads for Championship side Stoke
WOLVES have returned to Portugal to pull off another impressive coup by landing Benfica’s Mexican World Cup star Raul Jiminez.
The former Atletico Madrid striker smashed the Portuguese transfer record when Benfica paid the La Liga giants a total of £20million – including add-ons - to sign him in 2015.
However, Wolves have taken the vastly experienced 27-year-old on loan for a season with a £30m option to buy if they like what they see from Jimenez in the Premier League.
In a shrewd move, the Molineux club flogged striker Benik Afobe to Stoke for £12m – 11 days after triggering a £10m buy-out deal to sign him from Bournemouth.
They used their speedy £2m profit to secure Jimenez, who has scored 18 goals in 80 league appearances for Benfica.
The 6ft 5in ace is currently in Russia with Mexico and will join up with his new Wolves team-mates after he returns from the World Cup.
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Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping his new boy’s time-keeping has improved with experience.
Three years ago West Ham thought they had agreed a loan deal for Jimenez but the Mexican waved goodbye to a move when he missed his flight to London, claiming he had overslept.
However Jimenez was not caught napping when he managed to hot-foot it to Benfica shortly afterwards to sign for the Portuguese giants, who he has won two titles with.
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