5 most undervalued strikers in world football right now

#2 Raul Jimenez (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League

Former Atletico Madrid reject Raul Jimenez is entering his fourth season in the Premier League and has already competed in 115 games for Wolverhampton Wanderers. While super agent Jorge Mendes' strong ties with the club have helped a lot in Wolves' sudden rise to fame, the ascent would've been impossible without Jimenez.

After a comprehensive triumph in the Championship, Wolves followed it up with two successive seventh-place showings in the Premier League. The Mexican striker proved to be their top scorer on both occasions, with a combined tally of 30 goals.

Such was his influence on his current side that Wolves struggled to keep their season intact in Jimenez's absence. Due to his consistent performances, the 30-year-old striker has been regularly linked with big-money moves to numerous elite clubs.

He came really close to joining Juventus in 2020, only for things to fall apart in the final hour. Considering his contributions to Wolves, a market value of just €28 million can be considered a bit less.

---

#2 Patrick Bamford (Leeds United)

Bamford is finally proving his worth

Until 2019, Patrick Bamford was considered a mediocre Championship-level striker with multiple failed top-flight stints under his belt. Many undermined the Englishman on his return to the Premier League, despite having scored 16 goals in Leeds' memorable 2019-20 season.

Bamford replied to his doubters in emphatic fashion, scoring a whopping 17 goals as the Whites finished in ninth place. The Grantham-born striker was a stand-out performer in an all-firing Leeds team, laying out eight assists in addition to his strikes, including a hat-trick against Aston Villa.

To finish fourth in the Premier League Golden Boot race is commendable. But doing it in your first season after tasting promotion from the second-tier is something in itself. Nevertheless, the versatile striker still has his critics, who label Bamford a one-season wonder. Having completely revamped his career in the past two years, the 28-year-old England international deserves to be valued higher than €22 million.

---

#1 Gabriel Barbosa (Flamengo)

Gabigol has rediscovered his form in Brazil

The epitome of being underrated, Gabriel Barbosa was written off by the footballing world way too early. Carrying the label 'Brazilian prodigy' from a very young age, he was snapped by Inter in 2016 due to his widely-known potential. However, the flashy striker failed to hit the ground running in Italy and was soon pronounced a failure.

Fast forward five years, and 'Gabigol', as he is affectionately known, is one of the hottest properties in the Brazilian subcontinent. The talented striker has finally found his mojo back in his native country, unleashing the fire within him.

Having joined Flamengo in January of 2019, Gabigol has netted a massive 77 goals in just 107 appearances. Moreover, the 14-time capped Brazil international has also racked up 21 assists for the club in the same period.

At 25, Barbosa has already begun with the revival of his career. And it wouldn't be undeserved if his stock rises from the current value of just €26 million.

---