West Ham United have joined the chase for FC Porto and Benfica target and Atletico Madrid star Raul Jimenez, according to Madrid-based daily AS.

Jimenez has been at the Vicente Calderon since last summer when he landed from Mexican Liga MX giants Club America, but he has failed to seal a starting spot in the first team.




Last season he was behind Mario Mandzukic, Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres under manager Diego Simeone and was reduced to a mere four league starts.

This summer, Los Rojiblancos have added forwards Jackson Martinez and Luciano Vietto to their ranks, meaning Jimenez's first team minutes could be further sacrificed.
 


He has been heavily linked with a move to Portuguese heavyweights Porto and Benfica this summer and now West Ham have joined the chase to persuade him to opt for Upton Park ahead of Portugal.

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The Premier League kicks off in early August and the Hammers want to seal Jimenez’s purchase at the earliest opportunity in order to allow him the time to become acclimatised to his new team.

West Ham have completed the signings of Pedro Obiang, Angelo Ogbonna, Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini amongst others and Jimenez’s addition will add more bite to their attack.

The 24-year-old has earned 36 caps with the Mexico national team and has scored eight goals in the process.