Leicester close to signing Slimani from Sporting Lisbon for £30m - reports

Despite spending £16m to break a club record for Ahmed Musa over the summer, Claudio Ranieri wants further competition up front for Jamie Vardy, with last season’s title winners facing more fixtures this term with the addition of Champions League matches.

The 28-year-old scored 27 times in the Portuguese league last season and has also notched 23 for Algeria in 43 games.

According to the Guardian, Leicester had an initial bid of £30m rejected, with Sporting, who finished second in the league last season, hoping to get closer to £34m.

West Brom are also said to be in the running, though Slimani is understood to prefer a move to the King Power Stadium so he can link up with compatriot Riyad Mahrez.