Newcastle United are edging closer to signing Islam Slimani from Leicester with his medical now underway, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.
The reliable journalist claimed on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday afternoon that Slimani, 29, has completed the first part of his medical examinations at the Magpies’ training ground in a last-gasp loan move to St James’ Park.
Islam Slimani has completed the first part of his Newcastle United medical at the club’s training ground.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) January 31, 2018
The Algeria international, who signed for Leicester for £28million in 2016, looks set to finally put an end to Rafa Benitez’s search for a new forward, with it also being widely reported that Aleksandar Mitrovic is on his way out to re-join his former side Anderlecht.
Slimani has made 17 appearances in all competitions for Leicester this term, scoring five goals in the process.
He has only started two games in the Premier League though as he was way down the pecking order at the King Power behind the likes of Jamie Vardy and Shinji Okazaki.
Good move for Newcastle?
Absolutely. Slimani is strong, good in the air and offers something that Dwight Gayle and Joselu have failed to bring to the team – goals. The former Sporting CP striker was worth £28million just a year and a half ago after a few seasons of solid goalscoring form in Portugal. He clearly knows how to find the net, he just needs to have the chance to do that. His opportunities were restricted at the King Power and now Benitez just needs to unleash him to help fire the team away from their relegation worries.
This is Futbol rating 9/10
Likely to happen?
Slimani’s move to Newcastle now looks as though it is all but done. His is part-way through his medical, would most likely have agreed terms and looks set to wear the black and white stripes very soon in what will no doubt be a brilliant reveal by the Magpies. The Toon Army should get excited because they are finally getting a striker of Premier League quality.
This is Futbol rating 10/10