On-loan signing Islam Slimani has six games of the season left to convince Newcastle United and Rafa Benitez that he is worth signing permanently, according to The Leicester Mercury.
The Algerian striker signed on loan from Leicester City in January for the second half of the season. However, he is yet to make an appearance and has had his spell at St James’ Park hampered by an injury.
He is available to face Arsenal this weekend which will be the first of six games where Slimani can prove that he is worth paying money for.
Up front, Ayoze Perez has two goals in his last two games, but the front three of Perez, Dwight Gayle and Joselu have just 13 goals between all three, which is why an addition was needed in January.
Kenedy has proven himself a fan favourite with impressive performances since his loan move in January, but Slimani is yet to prove himself.
Benitez said in a recent interview (via Leicester Mercury):
He could have played easily at Leicester but had to wait.
We can’t change that but he has been training well.
Hopefully, he will go on to prove a good addition for us this season still.
