The Record newspaper in Portugal believes the likelihood of Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani staying with the Portuguese club is “remote”. He has ben linked with Liverpool,Leicester, Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham.
He was one of the few players in Sporting’s squad not to arrive back in Portugal in preparation for the start of preseason training, according to the paper, although it is expected that the Algerian will arrive back from his holiday in the next few days. The Record believe Slimani is considering his future at the club, and wants a change of scenery but the 28 year old was coy about his future when asked recently. He is quoted as saying:
“Right now, there is nothing new regarding my situation. I have a contract with Sporting and I have to respect my club honouring that contract. I do not know what will happen in the future. So I’d rather not talk about it. The my future for now is to return to Sporting.”
Slimani may feel however if he is to move from Sporting, it will be now or never as after having his best season in terms of goalscoring in his three years at the club, scoring 27 league goals last campaign, and being in the prime of his career, he may believe it is time to move on.
