Since the final weeks of the season, the Portuguese media has been making it very clear that Islam Slimani won’t stay at Sporting for another year. And now with the transfer window approaching, they’re being clearer about his departure.
A Bola today features a story claiming the striker is focused on his national team, as he’s spent the past few months ‘scratched’ from the Lions’ squad.
And as he edges towards a move, the outlet points out there are a few sides who were recently linked to him. Those were Nottingham Forest, Fenerbahce and Al Hilal.
While none of those sides seem to have come forward for the signing yet, A Bola writes that Slimani’s future remains ‘open’.
It’s made very clear that Sporting would like to let him go this summer, with the outlet claiming it remains to be seen if official offers will be made.
Slimani joined the Lions on a free transfer from Lyon in January, and with the Lisbon side willing to get rid of his contract, which runs until 2023, any decent offers from Nottingham Forest or other interested clubs will be considered. He’s currently valued by Trasnfermarkt at only €1.5m.
Slimani seems to have very distinct options on the table, with destinations that can offer him different things. And following the unimpressive spells he had at Leicester City and Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest would certainly need to check if he’d like to give the Premier League a try for the third time.
