Algerian Media Claim Foxes' Islam Slimani is Watford Bound on Loan Deal

Watford manager Marco Silva and Leicester City striker Islam Slimani have a shared history as they worked together for a year at Sporting in the Portuguese top flight and it seems destined that both are keen on a reunion to rejuvenate their respective seasons, according toAlgerian news outlet Compétition (via the Watford Observer). 

The Algerian forward has scored only seven times in 30 Premier League games following a £28m move from Sporting last season; his career with the Foxes has since stalled with the powerful striker significantly low down within Claude Puel's striking options. 

The Frenchman manager even left him out of his squad for the Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday night.

The 29-year-old Algerian international has undoubted quality and he is a goalscorer if sides play to his strengths. His style of play seems well accustomed to the English game, although Leicester City's fast, counter attacking style does not rely solely on Slimani's qualities. 

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He would present more of an alternative option to Troy Deeney and Stefano Okaka than Andre Gray and seems better suited to the Hornet's more direct style. The fact that Silva has a good understanding of the player's attributes will allow the striker to hit the ground running at Vicarage Road and have an immediate impact. 

However, Watford will need to act quickly in securing a deal for the striker as it understood Rafa Benitez's Newcastle United are also showing a keen interest to improve their own striking options at St James' Park in a concerted effort to maintain their Premier League status.