Slimani came close to leaving Fenerbahce

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Feb 06, 2019. 15:00

Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce have now confirmed that Islam Slimani came close to leaving the club in the January transfer window.

Slimani has endured a frustrating spell in Turkey on-loan from English Premier League club Leicester City.

The 30-year-old has scored just four goals in 22 appearances across all competitions with just one of those coming in the Super Lig as the Turkish giants continue to struggle at the wrong end of the standings.

According to Fenerbahce Vice President Semih Ozsoy, Slimani wanted to leave Istanbul in favour of a move elsewhere, but that his search for a new club ultimately proved unfruitful.

Slimani was linked with a move to both Spanish LaLiga side Real Betis and an unnamed Chinese Super League side.

Instead, he will now finish the season on-loan in the Turkish capital as he eyes a change in fortunes in an attempt to push for a place in Algeria's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

"Slimani wanted to leave," Ozsoy told sports news outlet De Marke Sports. "We held talks with Betis. After we considered, we decided for him to stay until the end of the season but he will be with us."