Reporter reveals shocking details of Islam Slimani’s loan deal from Leicester following FA ban

As revealed by the Mail’s North-East correspondent Craig Hope, Islam Slimani will end up having cost Newcastle £28,000 per minute & £2.5m per 90 minutes of football after receiving a three-match ban from the FA last night.

I was pleasantly surprised that we’d managed to sign a £29m striker back on January deadline day, but to say it hasn’t worked out is an understatement.

He’s managed just 131 minutes of football in three months and we won’t see him again this season, with his imminent three-match ban meaning he’ll miss our remaining games against Watford, Tottenham and Chelsea on the final day.

It’s a real shame. He’s a capable striker and one quite a few Leicester fans were tipping to shine at St James’ Park, but, as confirmed by the Mail’s Craig hope, he’s turned out to be quite an expensive mistake for the club:

“Slimani joined from Leicester on deadline day for a £2m loan fee, plus coverage of his £80,000-per-week wages – and that means he would have cost the club £28,000 for each minute he has spent on the pitch.”

His only saving grace is his impact from the bench and contribution to our winning goals against Huddersfield and Arsenal. He caused havoc in the box for Perez’s late winner of the Terriers and his header across the box for Ritchie’s winner against the Gunners was brilliant.

So, he may have actually earned us two points in the end, but with a £2m loan fee, £80,000 wages, just one start (an unimpressive one at Everton) and a petulant kick out against West Brom on Saturday, it’s fair to say it’s been a bit of a disaster on the whole.

Hopefully Mike Ashley realises that this is the risk you take when you force Rafa to make last minute moves in the market..

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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