Shirt numbers available to Raul Jimenez at Manchester United

Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez.

The Mexican has been in excellent form at club level during the 2019-20 campaign, scoring 26 times and registering 10 assists in 53 appearances in all competitions.

A recent report claimed that the 20-time English champions were set to sign the 29-year-old, with Wolves already identifying a replacement in the shape of Braga's Paulinho.

United recently extended Odion Ighalo's loan stay at the club until January 2021, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still allegedly keen to bring a new striker to the club during this summer's transfer window.

Here, Sports Mole looks at the shirt numbers available for Jimenez at Old Trafford should he arrive ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.

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Jimenez has occupied the number nine shirt at Wolves since arriving at the club, while he also sported '9' during his three seasons with Benfica, in addition to his time with America.

The Mexican wore '11' and '17' during his time at Atletico Madrid, while he has also had the number 11, number 19, number 12 and number 22 for his national side.

There is no question that '9' is now Jimenez's recognised number, but it seems unlikely that would be an option at Old Trafford due to the presence of Anthony Martial, who has enjoyed an excellent campaign through the middle, having been given the responsibility of being the team's number one striker.

The number seven is likely to become available for next season due to the uncertainty surrounding Alexis Sanchez's future although arguably the club's most famous shirt could be reserved for a certain Jadon Sancho.

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The number 11 has been vacant since Martial switched to the '9' following Romelu Lukaku's departure last summer, while '12' could also be an option depending on Chris Smalling's future at the club.

In terms of the rest of the squad, Jesse Lingard continues to be linked with an exit, which could potentially open up '14' for Jimenez, while Andreas Pereira's number 15 may also be an option.

Marcos Rojo currently sports '16', but the Argentina international could have played his last game for the club, while a loan move for Diogo Dalot next season might open up the number 20.

It seems likely that Jimenez would want one of the main numbers if he were to arrive but much could depend on the club's pursuit of Sancho, while Mason Greenwood's explosive form also makes him an option for the 11 shirt, with the 18-year-old potentially dropping his '26' for the 2020-21 campaign.