This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Nottingham Forest are reportedly considering a move for former Leicester City forward Islam Slimani.

The veteran striker is currently at Sporting, having joined the Lisbon-based club in January from French outfit Lyon.

During his career, Slimani has played in England for both Leicester City and Newcastle United, scoring eight times in 36 Premier League outings for the former having made a £28 million club-record move in 2016.

According to Portuguese outlet Record, reports suggest that Steve Cooper’s side are looking to bring Slimani to the City Ground this summer.

Here we ask our FLW writers if the 33-year old would be a good fit for the Reds as they prepare for the club’s first Premier League season since 1999.

Declan Harte

Slimani never quite worked out during his time with the Foxes, going out on loan multiple times and only making 36 appearances for the club.

At 33-years old, his best years are now also behind him.

It would be a strange decision to make a move for a forward who has proven that he is not capable of competing at this level and now has his best days behind him.

Perhaps if Forest can see a bargain price for the experienced forward then this could be a handy squad player to have.

Otherwise, this is the kind of transfer Forest needs to avoid this summer.

Billy Mulley

Islam Slimani has not proven to be the most prolific striker at club level since he arrived at Leicester City in 2016, however, he has always been a consistent source of goals at international level. 

A physical front man, with plenty of attacking intelligence, the logic is certainly there but he is not someone I would trust to return the goals that Nottingham Forest to avoid the Premier League drop. 

 

 

Although Premier League experience can prove vital for promoted clubs, Steve Cooper has seen so much success developing young players that I think this route would be most appropriate in this situation. 

Even if it is a Premier League loan, Cooper has proven to be a manager that clubs at the top end of the division would be willing to trust. 

Carla Devine

I’m really not sure this is the kind of signing Nottingham Forest should be looking at going into the Premier League to be honest.

There’s no doubting Slimani has done well at a number of clubs. He’s often done well at Sporting Lisbon, not just this season but times he’s been there in the past. With Turkish club Fenerbahce, he also scored goals.

However, in total the striker has spent four seasons in the Premier League and scored a total of eight goals. He failed to find the back of the net even once during his time with Newcastle United so you question whether he is able to perform in this league.

Furthermore, now at 33-years-old he seems a bit of an odd player to take a risk on because if it doesn’t work out it’s not like you can sell him on and gain from him. If the partnership doesn’t work out, Forest will only lose out.

If the Reds are looking to stay in the top flight next season, they need to be targeting up and coming names or those with experience and Slimani’s time spent in the Premier League so far just does not justify this move for me.