Big news emerging on the striker front in the last few moments, with widespread reports now claiming that Islam Slimani’s loan move to NUFC is ‘all but done’, with the club having agreed a loan deal with Leicester to bring him to Tyneside until the end of the season.
Sky claim that Newcastle have now won the race to sign the 29-year-old striker, fending off competition from West Ham and Monaco.
A loan fee of £2m has been reported, with Slimani looking set to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic on Tyneside, with the Serbian nearing a loan move to Anderlecht.
Here’s confirmation from Sky in the last few moments:
Asked source close to Islam Slimani if West Ham were in for him. Response: NEWCASTLE
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) January 31, 2018
Sky Sports – #NUFC have won the race to sign Islam Sliamni on loan, beating #WHU and Monaco to his signature. pic.twitter.com/L16Ru5H1ne
— Black&WhiteBarmy (@BlackWhiteBarmy) January 31, 2018
We’re told Newcastle have agreed a deal with Leicester to take Islam Slimani on loan. A source close to the player has told us a deal has been agreed between the two clubs, but we’ve had nothing official from either club as yet.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) January 31, 2018
These claims from Sky have also been backed up by the Mail’s North-East correspondent Craig Hope, whose told that his loan signing is ‘all but done’, whilst the Telegraph’s Chief football correspondent Jason Burt claims that Slimani is also expected to sign for NUFC today – with the club paying a £2m loan fee and covering the Algerian’s wages:
I'm told from sources close to player that Islam Slimani to NUFC is all but done. Would be a loan, but not sure yet of clauses to buy etc.
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) January 31, 2018
Newcastle United expected to sign striker Islam Slimani from Leicester City. Told it should be a loan – fee of around £2m – until end of season plus covering his wages.
— Jason Burt (@JBurtTelegraph) January 31, 2018
It has been revealed that Slimani has picked up a slight thigh injury which could sideline him for two weeks, however his potential loan arrival must be seen as a huge boost.
After all, he cost Leicester £29m after scoring 31 goals for Sporting Lisbon and, despite not setting the world alight during a mixed spell at with the Foxes, he’s a much better signing than any of us could have anticipated given the negativity around NUFC coming into deadline day.
In Ashley we trust!!!
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