Islam Slimani failed to impress during a loan spell in the Premier League with Newcastle United from Leicester City last season.
If Newcastle United wanted to, or could afford to, sign Islam Slimani on a permanent deal from Leicester City, they surely would have done so by now.
The Algerian striker spent the second half of last season on loan at St James’ Park but his time in the North East was nothing short of a disaster. Delayed by injury, Slimani eventually made just one start, scored no goals, and even copped a three match ban for an alleged kick at West Brom defender Craig Dawson.
No wonder Newcastle appear to have decided that the 30-year-old is not the big-money centre-forward they need.
According to the Northern Echo, Slimani’s agent has offered Newcastle the chance to bring him back to Tyneside. Leicester are ready to get rid of a striker they bought for £25 million just two summers ago.
The Foxes would like to recoup as much of that fee as possible but, with no one seemingly willing to match his price-tag, they have shown a willingness to loan Slimani out again too.
But it is reported that Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez really isn’t open to working with Slimani again having made West Brom target man Salomon Rondon, who is certainly similar in style to the 2014 World Cup star, his top target.
As such, the Northern Echo reports that Slimani is set for a return to Sporting Lisbon instead.
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