Newcastle United set to break transfer record to sign Islam Slimani

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Jan 25, 2018. 15:00

Newcastle United are reportedly ready to break their transfer record to sign Algerian striker Islam Slimani from Leicester City.

The Magpies’ current record stands at £16.8-million, the sum they paid to sign Michael Owen from Real Madrid in 2005, while Slimani will cost a reported £20-million according to The Mirror.

The Algerian cost Leicester £28-million when they signed him from Sporting in August 2016, but he has struggled to gain regular playing time with the Foxes.

Newcastle are in need of reinforcements as they battle against the prospect of relegation from the Premier League, and it is understood that manager Rafael Benitez has prioritised the signing of a striker.

Slimani, 29, has also been on the radar of Chelsea, Watford and Turkish club Besiktas in this transfer window.