Leicester City’s fairytale grasped the attention of the entire world in the 2015-16 season. From being threatened by relegation in the 2014-15 season they went on to an incredible title win the next season as the world stood to watch in amazement.
Winning the Premier League changed the club overnight. They had become one of the English sides to represent Europe, they were linked with big-name signings and most importantly they were being referred to as defending champions.
One such signing was Islam Slimani. The Algerian centre-forward, signed from Sporting Clube De Portugal, came for a club record fee to Leicester City. He had impressed largely in his time at Portugal and scored an impressive 48 goals in 82 outings for the Portuguese club.
Slimani’s arrival was seen as a much-needed signing but for Leicester who was then preparing for an assault on domestic and European competitions and badly needed a backup hitman to the fan-favourite Jamie Vardy.
It has been almost a year and a half since Slimani arrived and things are very different from what it was back then. The club finished 12th in the title defence campaign, the worst defence to the title in English history and are now again stuck at 12th position in the league this season after eleven game weeks.
Slimani has not been able to deliver what he was brought in for and the Algerian has only made 46 appearances for the club scoring a paltry thirteen goals. It is this loss of form that has seen Slimani find it difficult to secure a first team spot and the striker has been left short on confidence, leading to the demise of his career at the club.
It is now being reported that Slimani’s could be on his way to Newcastle United. The Toon are ready to break the bank for the Algerian. Should Slimani come, he will be breaking a 12-year transfer record at the club.
Under Benitez, the club enjoyed fine success in the Championships last season. They went on to top the league on their way to the Premier League this time. However, things have gone wrong once again at the club. With Mike Ashley unwilling to spend on new players back last summer, Benitez has been stuck with the same group of footballers at the club.
Their form has naturally suffered and the club now is on the 15th place in the table having collected 10 of their last 45 points. Benitez is set to make breakthroughs this January with Kenedy having already joined them on loan and Slimani being targeted as a possible hitman to help them score goals.
Should the Algerian come, he will definitely be the first choice player at the club and his goal scoring touch could help Newcastle earn some valuable points to stay up this season.
