Imagine how good of a manager Antonio Conte would be if he had a half-decent taste in players…
Chelsea have reportedly turned to Islam Slimani in their desperate search for a centre-forward.
Antonio Conte has been linked with a host of frontmen over the past week as he attempts to bolster his attacking ranks.
And now the Blues have approached the Foxes to try and sign the 29-year-old Algerian on loan, according to The Sunday Times.
At 6ft 2in, Slimani just about fits Conte’s mould of a physically imposing target man and would be eligible for the Champions League.
The former Sporting CP forward cost Leicester £26.5m in the summer of 2016 but has been a disappointment for the Foxes.
He has only scored eight goals in 35 top-flight appearances during his time at the King Power.
Slimani has not started a league game since September and was absent from the squad for yesterday’s win over Watford.
The club are believed to be willing to offload Slimani from their wage bill and would prefer permanent deal as opposed to a loan move.
Conte has pushed the Chelsea board to get him another experienced forward ever since he took charge at Stamford Bridge.
Alvaro Morata is the main man but the Italian boss is evidently unimpressed with Michy Batshuyai.
Andy Carroll, Christian Benteke and Peter Crouch have all been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge in the last few days and Slimani adds to a bemusing shortlist.
At the other end of the scale is Edin Dzeko.
The 31-year-old Roma forward was nominated for the most recent Balllon d’Or having scored 39 goals in 51 games last season.
The Bosnian target man would be ineligible for the Champions League and is believed to be happy to stay in the Italian capital.
However, if a deal was agreed, he would surely challenge Morata for a space in the starting line-up.
Does anyone know Nikola Zigic’s number? Asking for an Italian friend…
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