Islam Slimani has made only one appearance for Leicester City this season and it came as a sub appearance in the Foxes’ 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa in October.
Having returned from his long loan spell at AS Monaco, Brendan Rodgers has not relied on the striker for this term.
According to Le10 Sport, Saint-Étienne have emerged as a suitor for the 32-year-old as they ‘aren’t letting go’ of him.
The Ligue 1 side have scored only 14 goals in 15 league matches, meaning that signing a new striker in the winter market is a priority for them and are working to get the former Sporting man.
Claude Puel’s side are already struggling financially and they need to raise €20m through player sales and pay cuts to balance the books.
Despite the current economic condition, the French club’s leaders will look to bring new players in January.
The Algeria international’s current deal runs down at the end of this season and Saint-Étienne can only think of signing the player if Leicester decide to let him go out on loan next month.
Saint-Étienne haven’t made a proposal yet for Slimani, who is also in the sights of Lyon, which has also been reported by Foot Mercato.
However, the outlet states none of the two sides plus Marseille can bring the Algerian to France, unless he makes a ‘significant effort’ to lower his salary.
Slimani earns more than €3m per year, and it’s ‘impossible’ for most of the French clubs to meet his current wages.
Foot Mercato adds the Foxes attacker is also attracting interest from unnamed clubs in Middle East, who wouldn’t have a problem to match his existing salary.
