Islam Slimani wanted by Newcastle as Rafa Benitez eyes move for Leicester outcast
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NEWCASTLE reportedly want to sign Islam Slimani.
Leicester's record £30million signing could become the highest-profile casualty of Claude Puel’s French revolution – with a January move on the cards.
And Toon boss Rafa Benitez is said to be one of Slimani's suitors.
Although the Spaniard's hopes of landing the striker appear to hinge on whether Amanda Staveley's CP Capital Partners complete a takeover.
That would bring Benitez's budget up to a £40m.
And while he will have cash to spend in any case, it is unlikely to be enough to bag Slimani if the takeover falls through.
Watford, West Brom, Stoke and Slimani’s former club Sporting Lisbon are also keeping tabs on his current situation.
Algerian international Slimani has played just 10 minutes since Puel replaced Craig Shakespeare at the King Power and hasn’t even made the match-day squad for the Foxes' last five games.
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Puel’s preferred option, since taking charge, has been to play with one out-and-out-striker, with three speedy raiders playing off the front.
Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Shinji Okazaki have all hit purple patches and with Kelechi Iheanacho, Ahmed Musa and Leo Ulloa also battling for precious game-time, Slimani’s future looks bleak.
Last week, Puel said: “He was on the bench for my first game and he is in the squad this weekend.
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“He provides the same option as Ulloa who has worked hard in training sessions.
“I think Slimani is also working very well in training now. But it is always difficult for me to make assurances with so much competition between the players.
“I cannot say yet what will happen in the transfer window but it is difficult for me and the staff to manage all these players for the same position.”
