Besiktas are eyeing a move for Leicester City’s Algerian forward Islam Slimani. With Everton closing in on Besiktas’s 14-goal striker Cenk Tosun, some sources are claiming that the Turkish club are now desperate to find a replacement and has identified the Leicester forward as an ideal option to lead the lines for the club in the near future. According to reports in Turkish media, Besiktas are hoping to replace Tosun’s goals by securing a deal for Islam Slimani and has already made contact with the Foxes and enquired about his availability in the January transfer window.
It is believed that Leicester will prefer a permanent transfer for their Algerian striker in an effort to recoup some of the big money spent on his signature from Sporting. However, Besiktas is trying to take him on loan even though they are set to get a fee in the region of €25m for Tosun, once the Everton deal gets done and dusted.
Slimani has fallen down the pecking order at Leicester and has found game time limited this season. He is desperate to move on to greener pastures so a transfer looks highly likely in the near future with Besiktas believed to be an attractive option for the Algerian.
However, it is expected that the Foxes will weigh up other offers for the forward so Besiktas may be forced to wait in pursuit of the player. Everton will likely be the biggest winners of the deal with Cenk Tosun close to signing for the club as Sam Allardyce looks to make a push for the top 7 places in the second half of the season. Leicester City are in a similar situation where they can use the money generated from the sale of their Algerian forward to try and make a few quality additions in January.
The Toffees were linked with Slimani in the past but their interest could now end with Tosun close to signing on the dotted line for the Merseysiders. Slimani has featured in 15 matches for the Foxes this season and has scored 5 goals and made one assist in all competitions so far. His latest goal came in Leicester City’s 3-0 triumph at home to Huddersfield Town on new year’s day.
There is no doubt about his quality in front of goal and Besiktas can definitely benefit from securing his services. It will also help Leicester get the striker off their wage bill as they try to replace him with a quality forward capable of cutting the mustard in Claude Puel’s starting eleven. It remains to be seen whether the deal goes through in January in a move that might satisfy all parties.
