Another Atlético Madrid striker is reportedly on his way out of the Vicente Calderon. Mexican attacker, Raul Jiménez, has been rumored to be on the transfer market for a while, and after an agreement to send him to West Ham broke down, Atlético have agreed to send Jiménez to Portuguese Primeira Liga side SL Benfica.
West Ham were believed to be on the brink of inking a season loan for Jiménez, but the loan concept has been scratched in this new Benfica agreement and the attacker is headed to the club on a reported five-year deal. The fee has not yet been disclosed.
Jiménez, 24, failed secure a place in the starting XI in his first season under manager Diego Simeone, and after some exacting days of intense negotiations over the transfer fee, Atlético and Benfica have agreed to officially move the Mexican man to Portugal.
The 6'3" forward will undergo his medical on Thursday morning, and assuming he passes, Benfica will formally present him as a player of the club in the afternoon. Jiménez will most likely sign his contract somewhere in between the two events.
In 27 total appearances for Atlético in 2014-15, Jiménez racked up one lone goal. He is better respected for his stints with the Mexican National Team and Club América. He has 36 caps and 8 goals with Mexico in international play.
Where Atlético stand following this move
After signing Jackson Martínez this summer, along with agreeing a contract extension with Antoine Griezmann, it is clear that the Mexican forward would not be a regular in the Atletico Madrid line up.
Madrid also signed youth striker Rafael Santos Borré to boost the young core behind the team's top attackers.
Benfica have another Atlético player on their squad currently, loaned defender Sílvio. They have majorly bolstered their attack to one-up their rivals, FC Porto, with this transaction. SLB hope for another title for this 2015-16 campaign after winning the last two Primeira Liga seasons over Porto.