Aston Villa are in the market to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes on Friday night and Leicester City forward Islam Slimani is ‘definitely of interest’ to the Midlands outfit, according to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett.
The newly promoted side have lost summer signing Wesley Moraes to injury and as a result of this have been keen to bolster Dean Smith’s options in the final third.
Villa have already splashed the cash to land new centre forward Mbwana Samatta this month, with the new man making his debut in the class against Leicester in the Carabao Cup earlier this week.
However, despite the signing, it appears that the Villans are not finished in the market just yet.
Dorsett has provided Villa fans with an update on their club’s ambitions to land a new striker, with encouraging news included.
“Aston Villa’s turnaround in form has calmed the nerves and reduced the urgency to sign another centre-forward,” he told Sky Sports.
“But the fact remains that only one of Villa’s last ten goals has been scored by a striker, and new signing Mbwana Samatta’s debut in the Carabao Cup semi-final was his first football since Boxing Day.
“As a result, Villa are still in the market for another frontman, with Dean Smith quietly confident they’ll get another over the line before 11pm on Friday, though he’s been tight-lipped on who that might be.
“Islam Slimani is definitely of interest. Villa pulled back when they learned of Manchester United’s interest, but they’ve been rejuvenated by news of Slimani’s request to end his loan deal with Monaco and return to the Premier League. It’s not a straightforward deal, with both Leicester (his parent club) and Monaco needing to be satisfied.
“Villa have been monitoring the situation with Krzysztof Piatek, but it looks like they’ll miss out on his signature. Daniel Sturridge has also been linked, but his injury record could dissuade Villa from making a move because they need a player who can go straight into the first-team squad. There are a lot of names still in the frame.”
Villa have made the Carabao Cup final, where they will face reigning English champions Manchester City at Wembley.
However, the Midlands outfit have work to do in the league if they are to avoid a drop straight back down to the Championship.
Villa are currently in a perilous position, sitting in 16th position after a win over Watford last time out.
But, Smith’s charges are only two points above the drop zone and as such the Birmingham-based outfit’s fans will be keen to see more new faces arrive at Villa Park in the next 36 hours.
