Newcastle United are now favourites to sign striker Islam Slimani in January after having made a tentative approach to Leicester City, reports the Leicester Mercury.
Slimani joined the Foxes as their club record signing in the summer of 2016 from Sporting Lisbon, however has struggled to make his impact on English football.
The Algerian managed to find the net only eight times in all competitions last season, and has now fallen out of the favour of new manager Claude Puel.
The 29-year-old striker was not even on the substitutes’ bench last night for the Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City, despite being the top-scorer in the competition.
Puel has recently spoken of his difficulties having as many as six strikers in his first team, and could now be willing to let go Slimani to make space in his squad.
Should Newcastle wish to pursue the striker further, he is likely to cost upwards of £20 million with the Foxes looking to recoup most, if not all, of the £28 million paid for him last year.
