Fulham decide Raúl Jiménez will leave as Pepi plan emerges

Fulham have decided not to renew Raúl Jiménez’s contract, with the striker set to leave the club when his deal expires on 30 June, and plans already in motion to line up a replacement.

Reports from Mexico state that the decision has been made internally, ending Jiménez’s spell at Craven Cottage after two seasons. According to El Heraldo, the Premier League side have opted to allow the 35-year-old to depart on a free transfer rather than extend his stay into the 2026/27 campaign.

Jiménez initially joined Fulham in 2023 on a two-year contract, with the option of an extension that was triggered last summer. Despite continuing to contribute and impress with his experience, the club have now chosen to move in a different direction.

El Heraldo report that Jiménez “will be free in June”, with Fulham making a clear call on his future well ahead of the summer window. The decision appears to be driven by squad planning rather than short-term form, as Marco Silva looks to refresh his attacking options.

While Jiménez’s professionalism and leadership have been valued, Fulham are said to believe the time is right to transition to a younger long-term option at centre-forward. That thinking has shaped their recruitment strategy for several months.

Mexico-based reports have also consistently linked Jiménez with a return to his homeland, with suggestions he could be targeted as a marquee signing by Liga MX clubs. However, Fulham’s stance now appears settled regardless of any external interest.

Fulham’s forward planning centres on PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi. The United States international has been a long-standing target, with the club tracking him closely since the summer transfer window.

Fulham pushed hard for Pepi throughout January and remained in contact until deadline day. Their interest was so strong that they were reportedly willing to consider a €35m deal even while the striker was sidelined with a broken arm.

With the winter window closed, Fulham have shifted focus to completing the move in the summer. Behind-the-scenes work is understood to be ongoing, with Pepi firmly established as their primary replacement option for Jiménez.

Having followed Fulham’s recruitment approach closely in recent windows, this fits a familiar pattern. Silva has repeatedly shown a preference for acting early on priority targets rather than entering late bidding wars.

Earlier reports had suggested Fulham’s plans around Jiménez and Pepi could depend on whether the club qualified for European competition. However, El Heraldo now claim that is no longer the case.

According to their information, Fulham’s decision to part ways with Jiménez has been made independently of league position or continental qualification. The intention is clear: allow the striker to leave on a free and transition to a younger profile in attack.

It remains too early to draw firm conclusions about how quickly a Pepi deal could be finalised, but Fulham’s commitment suggests the summer window could move swiftly once it opens.

Jiménez is expected to assess his options ahead of the summer, with a return to Mexico remaining a strong possibility. Fulham, meanwhile, will continue laying the groundwork for Pepi’s arrival as they prepare for a changing forward line.

If negotiations progress as planned, Fulham could look to complete a deal early in the window, ensuring continuity under Silva and avoiding uncertainty in attack. Much will depend on PSV’s stance and Pepi’s recovery, but Fulham’s direction is now clearly defined.

Is moving on from Jiménez the right call for Fulham, or should experience have been prioritised?