Chelsea are determined to sign a target man this month and have made a shock enquiry for Leicester outcast Islam Slimani, reports The Times.
Antonio Conte’s side have already been heavily linked with a move for English strikers Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch and are currently locked in talks with Roma for former Manchester City frontman Edin Dzeko.
Chelsea spent in excess of £30m to sign Michy Batshuayi 18 months ago but the Belgium international has failed to impress Conte and will be free to go out on loan once a replacement is signed.
The defending Premier League champions are hopeful of signing Dzeko when talks with Roma continue on Monday but have earmarked Slimani as an alternative if their Italian counterparts refuse to lower their transfer demands.
Slimani is free to leave Leicester this month after failing to live up to his £30m price tag and the Foxes would even be willing to sanction a loan deal this month with a view to a permanent move at the end of the season.
The Algeria international has only started two league matches this season and been forced to make a further 10 appearances as a substitute. In fact, the 29-year-old has only netted eight times in 35 Premier League appearances for the Foxes - five have been headers.
