Right at the end of October, Le Buteur in Algeria revealed that Islam Slimani was ‘seriously thinking’ about leaving Leicester, such is his situation at King Power Stadium.
The former Sporting CP striker has apparently had enough of sitting on the bench waiting for cup games and the odd sub appearance, and a departure would be preferable.
This has, of course, alerted a number of Premier League sides, such as Watford and Crystal Palace, yet there are also potential destinations abroad waiting for him, including Rennes in Ligue 1.
Le Buteur were the ones to mention the French club first, and now Le Foot in France appear to confirm this interest, although whether this will ever become a realistic destination remains to be seen.
The magazine explain in their November edition that Olivier Létang, former Paris Saint-Germain director of sport and newly appointed sporting manager at Rennes, has made Islam Slimani his number one target for the January transfer market.
Unable to match Leicester’s demands midway through the season, the only viable option for the Ligue 1 club would be a loan with a view to buy, corroborating what Le Buteur had suggested, although their stance was just a ‘dry’ loan with no further involvement.
While remaining in the Premier League, with Watford and former manager Marco Silva, seems far more feasible, Rennes could certainly be a decent landing point for the striker, at least until the end of the season.
What happens beyond that will probably depend on where Rennes end the season in Ligue 1 and the amount Leicester ask for their record signing.
We said it was one to keep an eye on, and it could have some legs, but we still only see it as a backup plan for both Slimani and Leicester.
