Atletico Madrid have moved a step closer to completing the signing of Mexico striker Raul Jimenez after reaching agreement on a reported fee of 11 million euros ($14.7 million) with Club America.
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Jimenez, 23, has established himself as one of the most prolific forwards in his native Mexico since breaking through Club America's youth academy in 2011, and was part of Miguel Herrera's World Cup squad.
Jimenez had been strongly linked with a summer switch to Porto, but it is the Spanish champions who now seem certain to have sealed his signature for a fee which will break the $10.7 million Mexican transfer record that Porto paid Pachuca for Hector Herrera in 2013. The player will sign subject to a successful medical.
Diego Simeone had made it no secret that he wanted a second striker to complement the aerial prowess of fellow new signing Mario Mandzukic and the Argentine coach is now able to call upon an exciting array of attacking options, with Antoine Griezmann also having joined from Real Sociedad.
Mexico national team coach Miguel Herrera congratulated Jimenez on his move on Twitter, saying: "In this new stage that you are about to begin, I wish you all the success in the world. Enjoy it and make Mexico proud."
Jimenez duly responded: "Many thanks coach. You know me and know that I can do it."
Muchas gracias profe @MiguelHerreraDT usted me conoce y sabe que asi lo hare!! Gracias y un abrazo
- Raúl Jiménez (@Raul_Jimenez9) August 13, 2014