Watford boss Marco Silva lines up ambitious swoop for Leicester striker Islam Slimani
Foxes' club-record signing has fallen out of favour and could be reunited with Portuguese coach who got the best out of him at Sporting Lisbon
WATFORD boss Marco Silva is poised to swoop for Leicester's misfit striker Islam Slimani.
The Algerian, who joined the Foxes for a club-record £30million last year, made his name under Silva at Sporting Lisbon.
Former Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri signed Slimani from Sporting last summer as he sought to strengthen the then Premier League champions.
But the forward managed just seven goals in 23 league games as the Foxes' supposed title defence turned into a relegation battle.
When Ranieri was replaced by Craig Shakespeare in February, Slimani lost his place in the team.
Shakespeare has preferred Jamie Vardy and and Shinji Okazaki up front, with the duo starting in the 4-3 defeat at Arsenal last Friday.
And the Foxes manager has also splashed out over £25m for Manchester City's Nigerian frontman Kelechi Iheanacho.
It all leaves the 29-year-old Slimani's future at the King Power Stadium looking doubtful.
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Silva, who took over as Watford boss in May, hopes to take advantage of the situation at Leicester.
The Portuguese coached the Algeria international at Sporting - who have also been linked with a move for Slimani - during the 2014-15 season.
The Lisbon outfit won the Portuguese Cup before Silva left to take charge of Greek side Olympiacos.
Reports in Algeria claim Watford have tabled an official bid for Slimani, who joined Sporting from CR Belouizdad in 2013.
Silva has already bolstered his attack with Burnley frontman Andre Gray and Brazilian prodigy Richarlison.
But the Portuguese coach is determined to prevent a repeat of last season, when Walter Mazzarri's side finished 17th after losing their last six games.
Newcastle, West Ham and West Brom have previously shown interest in Slimani, who hit 57 goals in 109 games for Sporting.
