According to reports, Leicester City refused to sell Islam Slimani to West Ham before the Foxes are annoyed over comments that were made by Hammers vice-chairperson Karren Brady.
Brady wrote about Foxes Chief Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and his sacking of Claudio Ranieri last year and this angered the Foxes hierarchy.
Brady wrote in her column: ‘A fellow Premier League director reports that last night he bumped into the Leicester chairman at London’s most-expensive wine shop. The Leicester owner told him they’d sacked Claudio Ranieri.
‘He then casually settled his bill for wine and champagne. Since the sum was close to £500,000 I guess the compensation to his old manager is pocket change.
‘At least the owner can drown his sorrows in style!’
West Ham manager David Moyes lost out in the race to sign Slimani on deadline day as the Algerian ended up joining Newcastle United on loan instead.
Multiple reports have claimed that West Ham have tried to apologize to Leicester over the comments but that they have not been well-received.
The Magpies will be hoping that the 29-year-old can bolster their squad as they aim to avoid relegation this season.
Meanwhile the Hammers will have to make do with whatever options they have after losing Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho while Marko Arnautovic and Andy Caroll are injured.
