The Mail is reporting that Islam Slimani has now landed at Newcastle airport ahead of his loan move to Newcastle United from Leicester City.
Fans had really good news earlier today that the deal to take the Algerian to Newcastle for a £2M loan fee was almost agreed – but you never know with Newcastle.
But the fact he has landed in Newcastle means that unless there’s a late snag – like failing his medical – we will get the type of striker Rafa has needed all season.
We would much rather have Slimani than either Jorgensen or Sturridge – if we can get him in.
And if do buy him for £20M this summer he would be a better buy than Jorgensen as we had written last week.
Islam Slimani – in Newcastle for a medical
It seemed from the news yesterday the Foxes would only let Slimani move if the move was permanent for around £20M.
But that doesn’t look to be the case, and there is time to get that deal signed, sealed and delivered today.
When it’s done, it will be a huge relief for Newcastle fans, and the disaster scenario of not signing a striker this month will have been averted.
Here’s a recent tweet by Keith Downie of Sky Sports.
Our pictures of Islam Slimani arriving in Newcastle ???? @SkySportsNews pic.twitter.com/iT1RQVFJLf
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) January 31, 2018
Here’s a nice picture from the Mail’s Craig Hope.
Picture of Islam Slimani after landing in private jet at Newcastle Airport ahead of loan move to NUFC. pic.twitter.com/37BzImw62I
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) January 31, 2018
Slimani cost Leicester £29M 18 months ago, and with Slimani coming in, maybe we will see Aleksandar Mitrovic move out on loan – but not to a Premier League club.
Islam has a thigh injury he picked up in training which will keep him on the sidelines for a couple of weeks, but the Magpies are right to sign him on loan today.
The loan deal could have an option to buy – or an obligation to buy – and it seems Rafa wanted Slimani when he was available 18 months ago – but we were relegated.
This looks like a potential long-term buy for Rafa Benitez and a class player – at last.
I can see it now Kenedy races down the left wing and puts in an inch-perfect cross and Slimani if there to head it powerfully into the back of the net.
Love it – if we can sign him today.
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33 comments so far
LetuscloneShearer
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:06 PM
Comment #1This is good news not great, but good news. Hope the fat mans chubby puppy does not snub this one over wages.
G
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:07 PM
Comment #2This comes from the Daily Fail. Let’s just hope there is any truth to it at all.
jane
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:07 PM
Comment #3maybe it will fall through at 10.55pm after everyone has left the ground and gone home 😉
SPRINGY
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:08 PM
Comment #4Repost:
Dont think ben arfa has kicked a ball or seen his feet in 6 mth,carrying a bit timber apparently….so doubt he would be fit enough to give arthritic pensioners a game till the summer…as it would take him that long to get fit!lol
jane
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:08 PM
Comment #5better than Nicolai Jørgensen probably.
SPRINGY
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:08 PM
Comment #6Repost:
Dragon64
Would do that in a heartbeat mate..even maddison at norwich…we get nextto nothing from gayle…so either would be a upgrade.
catchy in norway
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:11 PM
Comment #7JANE
i tend to agree,, one thing is for sure,, he is up to speed with the premiership.
DjMickyg
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:16 PM
Comment #8Hes injured for 2 weeks. We need another 3 or 4 signings. Its still not good enough. An injured player on loan and we are supposed to be happy now
Tsunki
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:17 PM
Comment #9So Mitro was being cotton-wooled for an exit after all. Well well well…
mactoon
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:21 PM
Comment #10He Just arrived at the training ground for a medical. Video just shown on Sky Sports Deadline Day
Shot Bru
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:22 PM
Comment #11IF Slimani signs on this arvo, is he available tonight?
Or
Is the reported thigh injury yet more of Bishop’s spin to scupper the loan deal at the last minute?
How cynical I’ve become over the last 10 years
Hail Wor Ashley
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:24 PM
Comment #12Yes I’d rather have him than Jorgensen, but then I’d rather have Mitrovic than Jorgensen.
Slimani looks like a real warrior type that thrives on physicality and quality crosses. Has bit more of a turn of pace than Mitro too.
Apparently he’s currently injured and won’t be back for a couple of weeks though, anybody corroborate this?
hibbit
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:25 PM
Comment #13posada/ Lancs
the one factor you both are not taking into account with this theory is Ashleys greed he’ll be looking for that double bite of the cherry no way will he ever give the club away on the cheap no matter what he’s managed to cream of priory to any sale
“he’ll want his cake and eat it too”
wynsleap
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:26 PM
Comment #14If it’s correct that Dubravka the goalkeeper has signed, that’s 3 loan players in this window. Does Ashley ever put his hand in his pocket for outright purchases? After all he did say we were going to break our record for a striker (another Controller lie?). With other supposed outgoings today like Colback, Aarons, Mitrovich, Saivet and Woodman surely a low cost punt for Boakye or the young German lad up front would have helped even further or is another few quid too much Mike? Even a £20m offer for Iheanacho? On that last note, Diabate who scored two for Leicester and played fantastic the other night in his first game, only recently cost £1.8m apparently. Is Rafa’s scouting as good as it’s made out to be and why can’t we be picking up buys like this if money (we are led to believe) is so tight?
Peebles_dave
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:28 PM
Comment #15At the start of THIS
month, hopes were there IS
money to be spent, from PCP or ma. HOW
we hoped that the hopes fans had, promise to break OUR
record, reinforcements around the team raised our EXPECTATIONS
Gradually and steadily, through dismay, disbelief and disgust HAVE
reached a position of “ABC lists” being worked through record signing GONE
Now we are excited about 2-3 loan signings on deadline day, I am feeling let DOWN.
I am not doom and gloom, will always believe, just feeling down after the start of the month.
SPRINGY
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:29 PM
Comment #16Hail
Differing stories about slimani’s injury…thigh strain some saying 2 weeks other reports saying 5-6 days….so not sure just wait and see.
Hail Wor Ashley
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:31 PM
Comment #17Dubravka I’m less convinced about, mainly because Rafa picked Sels and he was awful, this guy hasn’t played at any decent league level at 29, will he handle the pressure of a relegation scrap at NUFC in the PL?
if he isn’t coming in to be a clear no1, what’s the point?
SPRINGY
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:31 PM
Comment #18We’ve been linked with real midfielder lorentte, apparently theres a offer on the table for him but hes has 3 options 2 in spain and us….not heard anything else about any other player so i think our dealings will be done with slimani and dubravka tbh.
hibbit
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:33 PM
Comment #19frank has been saying for days that there was only £6m in the pot to spend, just add the loan fees up and he’s not far out is he !!!!
hibbit
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:37 PM
Comment #20Hail Wor Ashley
think the point is to get Woodman some game time out on loan and for us to have a good look at Dubravka its only a loan with an option to buy
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:40 PM
Comment #21Anyone seen Slimani, is he on crutches with plaster on both legs.
Rafa should get him straight into one of our high tech ice baths.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:41 PM
Comment #22Be bl00dy funny (not) if he couldn’t play for most of our games.
DubaiMicky
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:42 PM
Comment #23Shot Bru, Loan deals had to be signed etc. by midday yesterday to play tonight. So no.
mac the jaffrey
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:43 PM
Comment #24Doing a bit of YouTube scouting of Dubravka he looks a good keeper, great reflexes and shot stopper but also he likes to catch crosses and look for the quick throw out to set up counters, something which could be a very good attribute for us.
Seems an upgrade to me
Tsunki
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:43 PM
Comment #25The point behind the keeper is with Elliot injured and Darlow his backup, he doesn’t think Woodman is a great third choice yet.
Toonces
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:46 PM
Comment #26Springy @ 16
Hoping that the Slimani “injury” is Leicester’s version of cotton wool since they knew that they were likely to move him out this window. He isn’t listed in their injury report, so it was the excuse to keep him out of today’s lineup against Everton. Hoping, as I said 🙂
Shot Bru
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:46 PM
Comment #27Cheers Dubai
cleveleysbob
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:48 PM
Comment #28Essex, saw the clips on Sky of Slimani coming down plane steps and getting out of people carrier at training ground and he was moving OK, no limping, so it might have been an “excuse” injury – hope so.
H.Houdini
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:49 PM
Comment #29Slow day eh
jarra mick
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:51 PM
Comment #30Just what we needed, an injured reserve player who will miss at least the next 2 games and then unavailable against Leicester. Great business Rafa
Shot Bru
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:52 PM
Comment #31So if Slimani is injured hes out for 2 games. Also unavailable for tonight and can’t play against Leicester, that’s 4 games he can’t play during his loan spell.
More good work from dumb and dumber
Toonces
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:52 PM
Comment #32Slimani had little impact for Leicester this season but last season he scored 7 and assisted 4 in 23 appearances (10 as a sub). This could work out for us if he can get some confidence from Rafa showing that he wants him here and help him find that form from last year. Maybe it’s a case of Puel not liking his style, but Rafa does. A change in manager may be what he needs.
tommotoon
Jan 31, 2018 at 2:52 PM
Comment #33Dubravka due in Newcastle this afternoon