Schalke are preparing a bid for Sporting Lisbon striker and West Ham target Islam Slimani in the summer.
Slimani has been an object of desire for West Ham since last summer and though the forward has already rejected an offer to join the Hammers, the club have been said to still hopeful of getting him at the end of the season.
However, this time around the Hammers will have competition as according to Portuguese daily A Bola, Bundesliga outfit Schalke have entered the race for the Algerian international’s signature.
Roberto Di Matteo is believed to have demanded a striker for next season and after carefully scouting the market, the Schalke hierarchy have zeroed in on Slimani.
The Germans are prepared to place an offer of around €12m on Sporting Lisbon’s table for the services of the 26-year-old, who impressed with his performances in the World Cup last summer.
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It remains to be seen whether West Ham choose to go into a bidding war with Schalke for the forward at the end of the season or pursue other targets.
Slimani has scored 11 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions for Sporting Lisbon this season and has a contract until 2017 with the club.
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