Liverpool might have been dealt a blow in terms of signing a few Bundesliga players and it could be one reason why Jurgen Klopp is looking at alternative targets for the winter window. The Reds are now linked with a move for Mexican star Raul Jimenez of Benfica.
The 25-year-old had joined the Portuguese side at the start of the 2015-16 season and he does have a decent goal scoring record in his career.
Jimenez has scored 20 goals in 63 games for the Portuguese side in two seasons but he has provided eight assists for the side. The 25-year-old seems to be a target for the Reds according to the Portuguese newspaper Record.
The same outlet also states that the chief of the club, Filipe Vieira will sell the Mexican if a bid of €50m or more comes in. While selling a player for a huge amount is not a new thing for Portuguese clubs, this deal does seem to be a little out of the ordinary.
Anfield not a home for the Mexican striker
Jimenez can play as the central striker or the secondary striker and therein lays the problem. The Reds have been looking to add more quality in their attack but they need wide men and need to replace Sadio Mane.
Mane has gone to play in the African Cup of Nations and there have been talks of Quincy Promes of joining the Premier League side. Jimenez can be seen as a player in the Roberto Firmino ilk and that is one player that Klopp would not want to replace in his side.
Firmino has been a revelation since Klopp took over and the Brazilian would not be sitting on the bench anytime soon. Similarly, Jimenez would not be looking to sit on the bench either and Liverpool won’t be buying a player for this crazy amount to sit on the bench.
The 25-year-old also has a contract till 2020 and buying that out would be tough for the Reds. Klopp had earlier stated that he would only be bringing in players who wants to play for the Reds and simply splashing the cash in the winter window does not make a lot of sense.
The Merseyside club has been smart with their purchases so far and hopefully this is just a silly rumour which will blow over quickly. Klopp might have an ace up his sleeve and hopefully, he can play it before the end of this window.
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