Chelsea fans have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on links with Leicester City striker Islam Slimani.
The Algerian – who has found himself surplus to requirements at the King Power this season – has been targeted by a number of clubs, including Newcastle United, West Ham and Chelsea, with the Blues emerging as a shock contender for his signature in recent days.
Manager Antonio Conte is keen to bolster his attacking options going into the second half of the season.
Alvaro Morata has failed to score in six games after having a blistering start to the season, and back-up striker Michy Batshauyi – despite finding the net 10 times this season in limited time – is thought not to be preferred by Conte, who will take his search to help Morata elsewhere.
Chelsea have been linked with a number of surprise names as they look to bring in a new target-man, including Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch, and Slimani is the latest man to be added to the growing list of strikers linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
Signed in the summer of 2016 as Leicester’s record signing, the Algeria international has failed to establish himself as the club’s first choice striker since his £28 million move from Sporting Lisbon.
Slimani has made only seven starts in all competitions for Claude Puel’s side this season, however has managed five goals – four of those coming in the League Cup, meaning he is the competitions joint leading scorer, despite the Foxes having been eliminated in the quarter-finals by Manchester City.
Chelsea fans however aren’t best pleased with the rumours linking them with a move for the out-of-favour Fox …
Hahahahaha they're well funny
— Nath (@EarlRavebrook) January 21, 2018
Signing a player from a smaller club on loan?? Such a small club mentality.
— George Garrett (@lfc_carrot) January 21, 2018
I'm totally ready pic.twitter.com/c8p6JcmTYd
— Iscoism SR (@mriscoalacron) January 21, 2018
He's waiting….. pic.twitter.com/0HVFD1Yof6
— Ryan Delaney (@delaneyr23) January 21, 2018
Go home Conte….you're drunk!!!
— Daniel Alderson (@DanDaMan10) January 21, 2018
DESPERATE #noonewantstojoin
— Peter Knights (@PeterKnights2) January 21, 2018
So embarrassing to be a Chelsea fan. Need a big name and these 3 are NOT over enough for #Chelsea
— Greg Darkes (@gregdarkes) January 21, 2018
Are #Chelsea thinking they are playing #footballmanager2018 wanting to sign players that are no where good enough for a club of that stature.
— Grumpy (@MRventAlot) January 21, 2018
Banter FC?
— Hooks ? (@Hooksjpg) January 21, 2018
Lord Bendtner is available @ChelseaFC @bendtnerb52
— R Winter (@Rwinter16) January 21, 2018
So anyone over 6ft 2 is being linked with Chelsea? Mitrovic next?
— Simon Holt (@Holty83) January 21, 2018