NEWCASTLE UNITED have struck a loan agreement with Leicester City for £29m striker Islam Slimani.

The 6ft 2in front-man has found it hard to hold down a first team place with the Foxes since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2016.

Rafael Benitez tried to sign him last summer and he has figured high in the manager’s thinking ever since, although the £20m asking price was proving a stumbling block.

But with the transfer window set to close tonight, the 29-year-old’s wish to leave and join Newcastle is close to being granted.

There is also late interest in him from West Ham but the Algerian looks to be on his way to Newcastle – and that would give Benitez the extra attacking option he is wanting.

Benitez needs reinforcements in the final third particularly after giving Aleksandar Mitrovic permission to head for Anderlecht.

Slimani has scored five times in 20 appearances this season.

Newcastle are also close to signing Sparta Prague keeper Martin Dbravaka.