Newcastle United have rejected the chance to sign Leicester striker Islam Slimani, according to Chronicle Live.
The outlet claims that although signing a striker is the priority in this window, Toon boss Rafael Benitez has rejected the opportunity to re-sign Slimani.
The 30-year-old spent the second-half of last season on-loan at St. James Park, but due to an injury and a three-match suspension the striker failed to make an impact and didn’t score a single goal.
The report reveals that £16.5million-rated West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon is still the club’s top target this summer, with the club having already had a loan bid rejected for the Venezuelan.
OPINION
This is a good decision by Magpies boss Rafael Benitez. The striker did absolutely nothing to show that he should be signed permanently by Newcastle, getting injured pretty much as soon as he joined and then getting himself a three-game ban for a stupid red card. The Algerian has shown no form of note at his parent club Leicester City since he signed from Sporting Lisbon.
The club are right to pass up on this opportunity and focus on other targets, with the Toon reportedly targeting West Brom striker Salomon Rondon this summer. However, Rondon is not really the type of striker that Benitez needs right now, they need someone who can score regular goals at this level, and as proven by last season, the Venezuelan simply can’t do that. For the reported £16.5million that Albion are looking for, Newcastle would definitely be better off looking at other targets this summer.