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West Ham blew the chance to sign striker Islam Slimani because Leicester refused to do business with Karren Brady.

The London club's vice-chair is understood to have annoyed Foxes supremo Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

He was still seething over comments made by Baroness Brady in a weekly newspaper column about his dismissal of coach Claudio Ranieri last year.

West Ham are understood to have apologised previously for any offence caused, but Leicester remained unmoved.

(Image: PA) (Image: Getty)

This week, in an attempt to clinch a beat-the-deadline deal, a West ham boss called to ask if they could sign Slimani.

Leicester categorically refused, and cited Brady's previous comments and the 29-year-old went on to join Newcastle on loan for the rest of season.

Brady had written in her column: “A fellow Premier League director reports that last night he bumped into the Leicester chairman at London’s most-expensive wine shop.

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“The Leicester owner told him they’d sacked Claudio Ranieri.

“He then casually settled his bill for wine and champagne. Since the sum was close to £500,000 I guess the compensation to his old manager is pocket change.

“At least the owner can drown his sorrows in style!”

(Image: Newcastle United via Getty)

Slimani was unveiled by Newcastle on Thursday, and said: “It’s true there were a lot of clubs that were interested in me, but knowing the power of the fans and crowd here and how great they are, and also speaking to the manager, it gave me the confidence to know that this was the right place.

“Rafa Benitez is a big coach with a big reputation, so him calling and him being here had a big effect on my choice.”