Tottenham pursuant of Leicester striker who’s currently out on loan

The Telegraph report that Tottenham have added another striker, Islam Slimani, to the shortlist as they vie to find an adequate stand in for the irreplaceable Harry Kane. 

The Leicester front man is currently on loan at Monaco, where he has found great success in his brief time with the Ligue 1 side. He has bagged seven goals in 11 starts since arriving at Monaco, and is receiving plaudits for his rugged physicality and ability to finish. Hate to show my pessimistic side rise to the surface, but a few red flags fly at full mast, prominently and impossible to ignore.

Firstly, Leicester compete directly with Tottenham. And while it’s true that Leicester, with 14 point advantage, appear to be out of sight in the top four race, there’s no way a pragmatic, prudent Brendan Rodgers will be amenable to offering Spurs a lifeline. It will take more than an in-form Slimani for Tottenham to catch Leicester, but larger point differentiations have previously been overcome. Rodgers would never be able to live with himself if another team he manages loses tragically their pole position in the run in. Steven Gerrard can attest to that unforgettable, scarring experience back in 2014. It will never slip his memory.

Secondly, Slimani is scoring at will in Ligue 1. I’m not taking anything away from the French first division… actually, I am. It’s an inferior league whose top goal scorers run rampant, unfettered and profligate.

In his defence, he scored seven goals in 13 starts with Leicester in 2016-17. So, although a tiny sample size, he has proven his ability to score at England’s top level.

Slimani does look the part, though. He’s robust, strong and physically similar to the likes of Fernando Llorente. Tottenham are interested in enticing the Leicester man on loan. But unfortunately I see these rumours, like Danny Rose‘s prestige at Tottenham, fizzling out.