Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in signing Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres in next month’s transfer window and his potential arrival at Molineux could allow Julen Loeptegui to get rid of Raul Jimenez.
The Telegraph reported recently that the Sweden international was of interest to the Old Gold after storming to the top of the goalscoring charts in the Championship with the Sky Blues this season.
The 24-year-old is currently tied with Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom on 12 goals in the second tier, so it is no surprise that he is attracting so much Premier League interest ahead of the transfer window opening in a few days.
The report from the Telegraph also claims that Jimenez’s days at Molineux could be numbered, with the former Benfica man’s relationship with the club already frayed after he travelled to the World Cup in Qatar despite the injury issues that have kept him sidelined for most of this season.
Jimenez has managed just three appearances in the Premier League so far this season and wasn’t used on Boxing Day as Wolves claimed a vital victory over fellow strugglers Everton, which suggests that he isn’t a big part of Lopetegui’s plans, particularly after the addition of Matheus Cunha on a loan-to-buy deal.
Should Gyokeres arrive next month, it would surely spell the end for Jimenez at Wolves, as he has sadly never rediscovered his pre-injury form, and the Coventry City man looks like a big upgrade.
As well as obviously scoring far more goals this season, Gyokeres has also averaged far more shots (2.9 vs 2.3), key passes (1.3 vs 0.7) and dribbles per game (1.7 vs 0.3) than Jimenez, which suggests that he would be a big upgrade at Molineux.
Manager Mark Robins was full of praise for the young forward after an impressive performance against Middlesbrough earlier in the season.
He said: “I think that’s as good a performance as he’s put in. He’s been away with Sweden and he’s played a game and 30 minutes and he’s come back in a really good headspace, really sharp and you could see that today. He’s hungry for goals and that can only benefit him and the team.
“The goal that ended up winning the game deserved to because it was an outstanding move, an outstanding, powerful run and finish, but a brilliant ball from Fankaty [Dabo]. He destroyed them up at the Riverside last season too.”
Gyokeres certainly looks ready for a Premier League move and Wolves fans will be praying that the Old Gold can win the race for him next month, even if it means getting rid of former fan favourite Jimenez.