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Newcastle United have made an ‘official loan enquiry” about Leicester City striker Islam Slimani, who has decided to leave the 2016 champions after slipping down the pecking order.

That is the claim from reports in Algeria, who cite “sources close to the player” about interest from United.

The Magpies were linked with a move for the the Algerian striker in the summer but were scared off by the price with reports that the Foxes were looking to recuperate most of the £28million fee they paid Sporting Lisbon back in August 2016.

Fast forward four months and United have been credited with making a loan move for the 29-year-old - going head-to-head with Premier League rivals Watford.

Algerian media outlet Competition claim via “sources close to the striker” that he has his heart set on a January move to an English top-flight club. Slimani has only played 30 times for Leicester.

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The report states that both Watford and United have already made a move to take the striker on loan with both clubs ‘serious’ about winning the battle for his signature. Slimani has scored 13 goals in 42 games across all competitions for Leicester having netted an impressive 42 in 84 games for Sporting Lisbon.

The Magpies have also been linked with Liverpool’s Danny Ings and Chelsea’s David Luiz as Benitez sets about adding quality to his squad to aid the battle against relegation.