In Focus: Slimani could add attacking class that keeps Newcastle up this season

As reported by The Mirror, Newcastle United are weighing up a late transfer window move for Leicester City attacker Islam Slimani.

What’s the story?

After a confident performance against West Ham United on Saturday, spirits are again high at St James’ Park. However, there’s still a recognition amongst supporters that business needs to be done before the transfer window shuts if they are to reach their potential in the top-flight this season.

Good news for them then that the club are still working on big deals. The Mirror reckon the Magpies are interested in signing Leicester City’s Slimani, with the Foxes willing to sell in order to recoup a large part of the £29m they spent on him last summer.

Can Newcastle show ambition in the last week of the window and make a big money signing?

Worth splashing out on?

Slimani had a difficult first season in English football after making his move from Sporting Lisbon last summer, scoring just eight goals in his 28 appearances for the Foxes in all competitions.

However, there is potential for prolific goalscoring there and his season prior to joining Leicester points to a player that could have the attacking class and finishing ability to be a real success at Newcastle.

In 2015/16 he scored an impressive 27 goals in the Portuguese top-flight for Sporting Lisbon and if Rafa Benitez could tap into that kind of form then he would most certainly be worth splashing out on in the last week of the transfer window.