Everton are keeping a close eye on Raúl Jiménez’s contract situation at Fulham, and the Toffees could make a move for the 35-year-old Mexican striker this summer. The west London club activated their one-year extension option last May, meaning his current deal expires at the end of June 2026. According to journalist Christian Vaquero, via Sport Witness, renewal negotiations have ground to a halt, and both Everton and Club América are now monitoring the situation with interest.
Everton monitor Raúl Jiménez as Fulham contract talks stall ahead of summer
Jiménez, who started at Club América before moving to Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Wolves and then Fulham, knows a return to Mexico is a serious possibility. Meanwhile, Fulham face a familiar dilemma as they see the value in keeping him but find it hard to justify treating a 35-year-old as a long-term asset.
His numbers this 2025/26 campaign carry significance with nine Premier League goals, three assists, and a non-penalty xG of 7.22. Jiménez averages 2.92 shots every 90 minutes, converting roughly 27 per cent of them. Those figures place him above 86 per cent of Premier League strikers by xG, which makes the contract impasse all the more surprising. His aerial presence, hold-up play, and movement inside the box are still major assets. Jiménez’s age and declining pace, however, make him a short-term gamble, and his market value drops with every passing month.
Would Jiménez actually solve Everton’s goalscoring problem for 2026/27?
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – APRIL 18: Raul Jimenez of Fulham reacts after the Premier League match between Brentford and Fulham at Gtech Community Stadium on April 18, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Everton clearly need a striker, so the instinct to go after Jiménez makes sense on paper, particularly since he could arrive on a free transfer. Beto has recently found form, scoring eight goals across 34 Premier League appearances, yet Thierno Barry’s campaign has been inconsistent since the turn of the year. This suggests David Moyes still lacks a dependable, week-in-week-out option.
Jiménez would provide Premier League experience, aerial ability, and leadership in the dressing room. The worry, though, is that Everton would essentially be signing a player that Fulham themselves are hesitant to keep. For a club pushing toward European football in 2026/27, that feels more like a temporary solution than a permanent solution.
Everton need goals across a full season, including potential Europa League or Conference League nights, and a 35-year-old, no matter how productive, carries a physical risk over that kind of workload. Jiménez deserves credit for his longevity, but Everton might be better off looking for a younger, more long-term answer up front.
