Manchester United are reportedly set to go head-to-head with Tottenham to complete a late move for Algerian striker Islam Slimani.
According to a report by French outlet RMC Sport, Islam Slimani is the subject of interest from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Tottenham. The English duo are in discussions with the Algerian international, who is on loan at AS Monaco from Leicester City, over a late move this month.
Slimani joined Leicester City from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2016, but could never quite manage to kick on with the Foxes. After failing to make a mark in his first 18 months at the King Power Stadium, the player was first sent on loan to Newcastle United in January 2018 before he spent the entirety of last season at Fenerbahce.
Last summer, Slimani was sent out on loan by Leicester for a third time, joining AS Monaco on a season-long deal. The 31-year-old has finally managed to enjoy a decent campaign, with 7 goals and as many assists from 13 Ligue 1 outings.
The Algerian striker, though, has not started a game since Robert Moreno was appointed as the new head coach by Monaco and is currently on the sidelines with a muscle injury. However, his spell with the Monegasque outfit could be about to come to an end, with Manchester United and Tottenham interested in signing him.
Manchester United have been in the market for a striker ever since Marcus Rashford was sidelined due to a back injury. With Rashford a long-term absentee, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is short of options in attack, with the inconsistent Anthony Martial and the inexperienced Mason Greenwood being the only other forwards who have shown goalscoring potential.
Solskjaer’s predicament has, thus, forced Manchester United to scour for attacking options, with the latest player to be linked with a move being Odion Ighalo. Slimani, too, seems to have emerged as a target, although he is also being pursued by Tottenham.
Tottenham are also in the market for a striker due to Harry Kane’s long-term absence. The England captain is currently nursing a hamstring injury and certain reports have even suggested that his season could have been brought to a premature end. As a result, Spurs have been forced to look for a striker, with Krzysztof Piatek one of the players linked with a move.
The report has claimed that both Manchester United and Tottenham are in discussions with the Algerian international over a late move in the current window. However, that is the only detail that has been revealed by RMC Sport, who have not confirmed whether the two clubs are lining up a loan move or if they wish to sign him on a permanent deal.
Judging by Slimani’s prior struggles, it would be prudent for Manchester United and Tottenham to take over AS Monaco’s loan deal, if that is indeed an option, making Slimani a low-risk acquisition. Having said that, it will be interesting to see if the Algerian striker’s time at Monaco is cut short and followed by a return to the Premier League.
