Islam Slimani’s £65,000-a-week wages could scupper Leicester City’s chances of selling the out-of-favour striker to St Etienne during the January transfer window, according to L’Equipe.
After a summer of relentless speculation, Leicester’s one-time record signing is still plying his trade at the King Power Stadium; much to the surprise of Brendan Rodgers.
Speaking to the Mercury a few weeks ago, the Foxes boss admitted that he expected Slimani to leave before the October deadline amid links with West Brom and former club Sporting Lisbon.
And while Rodgers took the time to praise his veteran target-man, pointing out that Slimani’s 6ft 2ins, penalty-pox presence would give Leicester a viable Plan B in the final third, the Algeria international has been restricted to just 19 minutes of Premier League football all season long.
His contract expires next summer too.
If Leicester want to recoup at least a fraction of that £29 million windfall, they have no choice but to find a buyer in January.
Then again, unless Slimani is willing to take a cut on his £65,000-a-week wages, the Foxes will be stuck with their forgotten forward until he leaves the Midlands on a free in July.
L’Equipe reports that St Etienne want to bring Slimani back to France, perhaps inspired by an exceptional loan spell at Monaco which saw the striker produce nine goals and seven assists at Monaco last term.
But, to put it simply, £65,000-a-week is far more than St Etienne are willing to pay.
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