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A call from Rafa Benitez to Islam Slimani “changed everything” - convincing the Leicester City striker to reject other suitors and join Newcastle United this month, according to a report.

The 29-year-old Leicester City striker signed for Newcastle on a half-season loan deal on transfer-deadline day last week.

West Ham United, Monaco and West Bromwich Albion were also among Slimani’s suitors, with Hammers manager David Moyes admitting he tried and ultimately failed to sign the Algeria international.

But, according to a report in Algerian outlet Le Buteur, Serie A giants Roma also made a move for Slimani as a potential replacement for Chelsea-linked Edin Dzeko.

(Image: Newcastle United)

Le Buteur claim to have had this information verified by Slimani himself - and report that the move would likely have happened had Dzeko indeed joined Chelsea, and had Slimani also held a European passport.

(Image: Newcastle United)

Interestingly, however, it also claimed that Benitez’s call to Slimani “changed everything”, immediately convincing the forward to reject the likes of West Ham and Monaco, and instead head to Tyneside.

Slimani was forced to sit out Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday as he continues to recover from a slight thigh strain he picked up during training while at Leicester.

But Benitez stressed at the weekend that he expects the 56-cap Algeria international to be fit enough to make his debut for the Magpies against Manchester United at St James’ Park this Sunday.