Should Newcastle try and loan Islam Slimani from Leicester with a view to buying the striker permanently next summer?
Islam Slimani of Leicester City celebrates scoring his side’s second goal with teammates during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match against Leeds United.
Newcastle United have hit a stumbling block in their proposed move for Leicester City striker Islam Slimani, with the Leicester Mercury reporting a potential takeover at St James’ Park is causing a problem.
Amanda Staveley and the PCP Partners Group are currently in negotiations with current owner Mike Ashley about taking over the Magpies, but they have stalled and may not now be completed before the January transfer window.
Mike Ashley, owner of Newcastle United, and Lee Charnley, managing director of Newcastle United, both look on from the stands.
If they had then manager Rafa Benitez was likely to be given around £40m to spend on new players, but if not then the Spaniard may have to rely on loan signings.
It would mean that Benitez could not make a bid to land long-term target Slimani permanently, with Leicester hoping to recoup a sizeable chunk of the club record £29m they paid Sporting for the Algeria international in 2016.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez gives instructions during the Premier League match against Arsenal.
However, could Newcastle convincing the Foxes to initially loan them the 29-year-old with a view to a permanent deal in the summer once the takeover should be done actually be the better option for the North East club?
Slimani has been used sparingly since arriving at the King Power Stadium and while 12 goals in 41 games isn’t a bad record, it may also not be wise to spend a relatively large sum based on those statistics.
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