Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers warns Aston Villa Islam Slimani deal may be ‘too complicated’

Villa are desperately chasing a new striker after Wesley was recently ruled out for the season with an ACL injury

Ian Parkes
Friday 17 January 2020 16:41 GMT
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January transfer window 2020 round-up

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Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has warned Aston Villa that a loan move for Foxes forward Islam Slimani is likely to be “too complicated”.

Villa are desperately chasing a new striker after Wesley was recently ruled out for the season with an ACL injury, while Keinan Davis is also on the sidelines, and Jonathan Kodjia is set to move to Qatari side Al Gharafa.

It is understood Villa will this weekend sort out the international clearance paperwork that will allow Tanzania international Mbwana Samatta to complete an £8.5million move from Belgian side Genk.

But Villa are also believed to be chasing Slimani, who in August joined Monaco on a season-long loan from Leicester.

City’s former record signing, who moved to the Foxes for £29million in August 2016 from Sporting Lisbon, has scored seven goals in 13 Ligue 1 appearances for Monaco.

However, a move to Villa means Monaco would have to consent to release the 31-year-old Algeria international, as well as Leicester sanctioning the deal.

“I think that looks like it’s probably going to be too complicated,” said Rodgers when asked about Slimani joining another club in this transfer window.

“There is interest in him, but he is there at Monaco and due to be there for the season.

“I’m not sure if anything will happen on that or not, but it will just make it a little bit complicated.”

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