Monaco have an option to Islam Slimani’s loan deal from Leicester City permanent for €9m this summer but are yet to exercise it.
The Algerian striker has spent this season on loan with the Ligue 1 side, having found game time and form hard to come by at the Kingpower Stadium.
He has proven to be a hit with the club, managing nine goals and seven assists in 19 games so far, although he has found himself out of favour since Robert Moreno replaced Leonardo Jardim.
Several reports have indicated they have an option to turn his move into a permanent one and France Football confirm that, stating the price is set at €9m.
However, they believe that the 31-year-old’s future is ‘less and less in line’ with the club, with it looking likely they won’t take up the option and send him back to Leicester.
Chief among them is his price, with them believing he could be available for ‘less than €10m’, a fee that would give him a ‘very interesting price-quality ratio’, especially for a club whose finances may be tight.
The website also believe that Slimani would fit in at the club as he is a player who is a ‘man of the moment’ with an ‘extraordinary mentality’ while the club would do well from marketing as they have a ‘strong Algerian community’.
Last but not least is his style of play. They believe the striker, who they describe as an ‘all-rounder’ would fit well into Andre Villas-Boas system and would provide good competition for Darío Benedetto.
Of course, whether Marseille agree with any of this remains to be seen, but it seems if Leicester can’t ship Slimani off to Monaco, trying to tempt the French club into a deal would be a smart move.
