Newcastle’s Slimani or West Ham’s Hugill – Who will be the better signing?

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Newcastle signed Islam Slimani from Leicester while West Ham secured Preston’s Jordan Hugill – which is the better deal?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

It was a busy deadline day in the Premier League, with Arsenal perhaps stealing the biggest headlines after signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for a club record fee and then selling Olivier Giroud to Chelsea.

Yet there was still plenty of business in the lower reaches of the division, where Newcastle United finally secured the striker they wanted when Islam Slimani joined on loan until the end of the season from Leicester City.

Islam Slimani of Leicester City evades Markus Schwabl of Fleetwood Town during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round Replay at The King Power Stadium.

It could have been a different outcome, though, with West Ham United targeting Slimani before being turned down by the Foxes because of what vice-chairman Karren Brady wrote about Leicester in her Sun column a year prior – reports the Guardian.

As a result the Hammers instead turned their attention to Jordan Hugill, eventually signing the forward from Preston North End for around £10m (BBC).

So when comparing Slimani and Hugill which team has got the better deal, Newcastle or West Ham?

Frank Fielding of Bristol City blocks a shot from Jordan Hugill of Preston North End during the Sky Bet Championship match at Ashton Gate.

The former has failed to make much impact at the King Power Stadium since becoming their club record signing in the summer of 2016, and yet has still managed to score 13 goals in 46 appearances; of which 16 were stars. Prior to that Slimani netted 57 times in 111 games for Sporting.

Although highly rated having graduated from the Glenn Hoddle Academy and coming through the divisions from non-league to being with Preston in the Championship, Hugill is not so prolific. The 25-year-old’s record at Deepdale is a little over a goal every four matches, with 30 scored in 114 outings.

Hugill is a four years Slimani’s junior and may well prove to be the better option for the long-term, but for immediate impact the Algerian looks set to be the winner.