West Brom consider move for Leicester’s Islam Slimani

West Bromwich Albion are weighing up a move for Leicester’s Islam Slimani as they ramp up their search for a striker.

Albion have made an inquiry for Slimani, once Leicester’s record £28million signing, and are considering a bid to sign the Algeria international on loan for the season.

Leicester have loaned out Slimani to Newcastle, Fenerbahce and Monaco over the last two and a half seasons and would prefer to sanction a permanent transfer as the 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of this campaign.

Albion are determined to sign a proven goalscoring forward before the transfer window closes and are now turning their attention to Slimani as an alternative option to Huddersfield’s Karlan Grant.

Slimani scored nine goals and contributed seven assists in 18 games on loan at Monaco last season, before his hopes of a permanent move were ruined by the Ligue 1 campaign’s abandonment over the Covid-19 pandemic.

He has previously played in the Champions League with both Sporting and Leicester, and his experience makes him an attractive loan option for West Brom as they are operating under a restricted budget.

Slimani was a record signing for Leicester from Sporting, after the club had won the Premier League title under Claudio Ranieri.

Albion’s head coach Slaven Bilic admitted after the 3-3 draw with Chelsea on Saturday that signing a forward remains a priority.

He said: “I can only hope at this moment – I think something will happen because we needed it.

“I’ve said it from the beginning, I keep saying that and I hope the owners will recognise the situation – even after the Chelsea game – and try to strengthen our team.”

Filip Krovinovic completed his loan move to the Hawthorns on Tuesday, with Albion paying a minimal fee weeks after being quoted £8.5 million to sign the Croatian midfielder on a permanent deal.

Krovinovic’s return means that Bilic has re-signed all of the players who impressed on loan last season, rejoining Grady Diangana, Matheus Pereira and Callum Robinson.

Albion are still without a win since promotion to the Premier League and face Southampton away this weekend.