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Islam Slimani is high on Rafa Benitez’s wanted list as he prepares a shake up of his struggling Newcastle squad.

The Leicester striker is valued at around £20million and the Magpies are prepared to break a club transfer record that's stood for almost 12 years to land a new front-man as they fight to retain Premier League status.

Algeria international Slimani cost the then-champion Foxes £29m from Sporting Lisbon in summer 2016 but is for sale after struggling for regular game time, and Benitez’s scouting team have watched him.

(Image: Reuters)

The Spaniard will only let players go once he has new faces in.

West Ham will have to wait until the end of the window before firming their interest in Magpies striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and midfield team-mate Jonjo Shelvey.

Benitez is a reluctant seller to a bottom-half rival, but might be tempted if he can finally land a quality striker and pricey midfielder in the next week.

Chelsea's left-sided youngster Kenedy completed a loan move to the Geordies on Tuesday.