Only five months after he joined Brest from Sporting Clube de Portugal, Algerian forward Islam Slimani (34) was already on his way out. The 2019 AFCON Winner left the Brittany outfit for Belgian side Anderlecht on deadline day for a €650k transfer fee. Slimani scored only two goals in 18 games played with Les Ty-Zefs and Brest sporting director Grégory Lorenzi was left disappointed by the former Leicester City man. On deadline day at 10 pm, Lorenzi recounted that someone rang him and told him that there could be a transfer for Slimani. “I say why not, but that depends of the player. I’m told he wants out. We never talked about it.” Half an hour later, the former Lyon player was in Brest’s offices and signed the documents sealing his departure.
With only a five-month stay in La Cité du Ponant, Slimani’s transfer to Brest can only be described as a flop. “Considering his experience, we expected much more from Islam. Or maybe we haven’t met his expectations.” With Slimani departing on deadline day, the Eric Roy-led side have signed free agent striker Loïc Rémy (36) for a five-month deal. Fifteenth-placed Brest will host Lens on Sunday for Ligue 1 gameweek 22.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
