Islam Slimani has revealed that it was manager Leonardo Jardim who convinced him AS Monaco was the perfect club for him last summer.
The striker is currently on loan at the French club from Leicester City after Brendan Rodgers decided to let him go in the summer.
He originally joined the Foxes for £27.45m back in August 2016 but has endured a difficult time at the club, spending the last two years out on loan at the likes of Newcastle and Fenerbahçe before joining Monaco.
He’s gone some way to getting his career back on track in Ligue 1, with nine goals and seven assists to his name in 18 games in all competitions this season.
“Leonardo Jardim has a lot to do with it,” he told Monaco-Matin.
“I knew him before because I played for him at Sporting Portugal. It all came about naturally.
“He called me, and we talked. He explained the project to me, reassured me that he knew my qualities and what I could bring to the table.
“It was the right choice for me. He knew I was going to fight for the team. I was looking for something that could push me further.”
Slimani’s good form earlier in the campaign led to plenty of rumours about a potential move in the January transfer window.
Those rumours were fuelled by the fact he has fallen out of favour at Monaco, who sacked Jardim and replaced him with Robert Moreno at the end of December.
Ultimately he ended up staying in France and says he will now wait until the summer to decide on his Leicester future and whether he stays at Monaco.
“You know, in those times, during the market, everyone can leave or stay,” he added.
“I’m used to it. It didn’t bother me. We’ll see (what happens) at the end of the season.”
