Leicester City striker Islam Slimani could be offered a Premier League lifeline by Newcastle United or West Bromwich Albion.
Islam Slimani has had three different permanent managers at Leicester City, but neither Claudio Ranieri, Craig Shakespeare nor Claude Puel appear to see him as a big part of their first-team plans.
A club record £29 million signing from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2016 (BBC), the Algerian targetman has never really lived up to expectations at the King Power Stadium. And after starting just one Premier League game all season, his time with The Foxes could be coming to an end in January.
Respected Algerian outlet Competition claims that Newcastle United have made a bid to take Slimani on loan for the rest of the season. It is understood that the 29-year-old wants to stay in the Premier League, and the prospect of becoming The Magpies’ first-choice number nine would appeal.
Slimani has struggled to fit in at Leicester due to the fast-paced counter-attacking approach favoured by the 2016 league champions. But Rafa Benitez’s one-striker system at Newcastle could get the best out of a striker who scored goals for fun at Sporting.
It is understood that Newcastle were interested in the summer, but were put off as Leicester had hoped to recoup most of their £29 million purchase price.
According to The Mail, West Brom too are hopeful of a January deal for Slimani with new Baggies boss Alan Pardew admitting recently that he wants more firepower in attack.
Slimani, if he can find the form that earned him that move to Leicester, would be an upgrade on the inconsistent Salomon Rondon up front at West Brom.
But it seems that Newcastle may have made the first move.
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