Newcastle United targeted both Daniel Sturridge, reportedly, and Islam Slimani in January, with the latter given the opportunity to now prove his worth.
Since Daniel Sturridge turned down the opportunity to join Newcastle United in January, as reported by The Times, many Magpies fans have enjoyed his demise.
The England international has struggled for form and primarily fitness at West Bromwich Albion and could be relegated at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Sturridge is sure to be greeted by a frosty reception, but this mockery makes a little less sense when considering the fortunes of Islam Slimani, signed in the Liverpool man’s place.
Neither of the two have yet scored for their loan clubs, while Slimani has started just once for Newcastle and looked off the pace at Everton.
Now, if Slimani is to have any hope of sealing a permanent move north, he must show this weekend that he was the man Newcastle should have targeted ahead of Sturridge all along.
Both players appear injury-prone and it might be unlikely that Rafa Benitez signs either in the summer, but Slimani must ensure he is in front of Sturridge in the queue come 5pm on Saturday.
That might require a first goal in black and white but, regardless, he will need to show energy and industry, as well as looking fit enough to cut it at the top level.
Newcastle have little left to play for, but these final weeks of the season are huge for Slimani – starting against West Brom.
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