Newcastle United are reportedly backing away from Leicester City’s Islam Slimani.
Leicester City’s Islam Slimani
According to The Mirror, Newcastle United have cooled their interest in signing Leicester City striker Islam Slimani during this month’s transfer window.
The Magpies sit 15th in the Premier League table, three points clear of the relegation zone after their 1-1 draw with Swansea City over the weekend.
Manager Rafael Benitez has yet to bring in a new signing this month despite his need for additions, with the ongoing confusion over the club’s takeover situation limiting his budget.
Islam Slimani of Leicester City
Another striker is a must given that neither Joselu or Dwight Gayle have been prolific this season, but it seems that Benitez is backing away from his pursuit of one Premier League striker.
The Mirror report that Newcastle have cooled their interest in signing Leicester City target man Islam Slimani, as have Premier League rivals Watford.
It’s stated that Besiktas – who have recently sold Cenk Tosun to Everton – are now leading the race for Slimani, given that Newcastle are turning their attentions elsewhere.
Slimani, 29, hit 57 goals in 109 games for Sporting to earn his £29million move to Leicester in 2016, but has found the net just 12 times in 45 games for Leicester, failing to really live up to his billing.
Newcastle may have felt that the Algerian international could have provided a major goal boost, but they are seemingly looking at other options after Amanda Staveley’s takeover of the club fell apart.
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