Newcastle United have ripped up Islam Slimani’s loan agreement a week early and the Algeria international has returned to parent club Leicester City.
The 29-year-old striker was due to remain at the Magpies until the end of the season but saw his campaign ended early after being charged with violent conduct and hit with a three-game ban.
Manager Rafa Benitez has now revealed that the two parties agreed to end the loan deal a few days early this week, with Slimani leaving the Newcastle camp.
As quoted by the Chronicle, Benitez said: “I said he can go because he will not be part of the team in these two games.
“We told (Slimani) and we told them that he can go if he wants, and he has.”
The newspaper claim that a summer return to Newcastle for Slimani is off the table despite Benitez claiming he will keep his options open.
It is said that Leicester City are looking for around £20million for the attacker, and Newcastle will therefore walk away from a permanent stay.
OPINION
It is hardly a surprise that Slimani’s loan spell has been terminated early after his actions against West Bromwich Albion. The Algeria international was already unlikely to be a summer target for Benitez after his injury problems and lack of impact at St. James’ Park, but his kick out at Baggies defender Craig Dawson was the final nail in the coffin. It will be interesting to see where the 29-year-old ends up this summer, with Leicester obviously looking to sell him on. He has shown glimpses of quality during his time at both clubs, but it would still be considered a risk for any Premier League side to splash out £20million on him, and you would think that a move back abroad would be the likely outcome. Newcastle will now have to put out their feelers and begin their search for a new striker, with goals being their main issue this season. If they want to challenge for Europe next season, they need someone who will score at least 15 goals in the league every campaign.
