European giants Benfica have emphatically decided that they don’t want striker and Everton target Raul Jimenez to leave this summer, according to a report.
The Sun have claimed via their live transfer deadline day blog on Thursday afternoon that a deal between the Toffees and Benfica has fallen through for the 26-year-old centre-forward.
It is stated in the report that the move was going to be a loan worth £2.5million for the striker to spend the season at Goodison Park.
However, that has now come to a halt in the eleventh hour with Benfica wanting to keep the forward, who has made five substitute appearances in each of their five games this season in all competitions, scoring one goal.
With a deal now looking to have ended, This Is Futbol has weighed up whether it’s good for Everton and if it’s likely a deal can be rekindled before 11.00pm.
Good for Everton?
Absolutely not. Everton have been linked with a number of forwards throughout the summer as Ronald Koeman looks to add to both Sandro Ramirez and Wayne Rooney, but as of yet no one has come through the door and there are now less than eight hours of the window left. Jimenez himself doesn’t boast the best scoring record with 24 goals in 82 outings in total for Benfica, but it was surely his overall play that Koeman fancied and this deal with hit the Toffees hard if they fail to bring someone else in now.
This Is Futbol rating: 1/10.
Likely to happen?
Everton have just hours to try and re-work a new deal with Benfica that they can’t refuse. However, the Portuguese giants have made their stance clear from what the Sun report is suggesting and if the Toffees aren’t willing to break the bank for Jimenez then this deal looks dead. Therefore, it would be highly surprising if the 57-time capped Mexico international is holding an Everton shirt before the 11.00pm transfer cut-off.
This Is Futbol rating: 1/10.