Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has plenty to think about before the close-season, where he’ll certainly look to improve his attacking options.
The Magpies have struggled for consistency in the final third this season and are on the hunt for a new striker, which could come in the form of current Leicester City loanee Islam Slimani.
Algeria international Slimani, set to feature at the World Cup this summer, has struggled for fitness since making the move to St. James’ Park in January but has recently returned to the fold, making his debut at the end of March in the 1-0 win over Huddersfield.
Slimani then had to wait over two weeks for his next chance, which came in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal off the bench- and the 29-year-old earned praise from Rafael Benitez for his performance against the Gunners.
Quoted by The Shields Gazette, the Spaniard said:
“I think he has the desire. He’s a worker. He wants to impress. With him, and after Joselu who was doing a good job as a second striker, and after with Jacob (Murphy), so we had fresh legs and also players that had the ambition and desire to make an impact in the end.”
“That helps the team to go out when you’re under pressure or to play in the way that we were playing in the end.”
Newcastle are already looking to secure permanent moves for Slimani’s fellow loanees Kenedy and Martin Dubravka and he could still join the trio in securing a switch this summer.
