Report: Leicester Set Price for Bilal El Khannouss Amid Interest

Yahoo

15-03-2025

Leicester City's precarious position in the Premier League table has prompted speculation regarding the future of Bilal El Khannouss. The talented midfielder, who arrived from Genk last summer in a £21 million deal, has been a rare bright spark in a challenging campaign for the Foxes.
With just four wins to their name, Leicester currently sit second-bottom, six points adrift of safety. If they do succumb to relegation, interest in El Khannouss is expected to intensify, given his technical quality and potential to develop into a top-class playmaker.
Reports have linked Liverpool with a potential move for El Khannouss, but sources indicate that he is not presently on their radar. While the Merseyside club previously assessed him during his time at Genk, they opted against making a move due to concerns over the valuation Leicester eventually paid.
Liverpool's recruitment strategy has historically focused on securing value in the market, and while El Khannouss remains an intriguing talent, there is no immediate indication that they will revive their interest this summer. That being said, his ability to operate as both an attacking midfielder and winger makes him an attractive proposition for any Premier League side seeking creative reinforcements.
Leicester find themselves in a relatively strong negotiating position concerning El Khannouss' future. The Moroccan international is under contract until 2028, and crucially, his deal does not include a relegation release clause.
As a result, the Foxes are under no obligation to part ways with one of their prized assets at a cut price. Sources suggest it would take a bid in the region of £40 million to persuade Leicester to sell, even if they do drop into the Championship.
The radar chart from FBref, created via FBCharts.com, provides a percentile-based analysis of Bilal El Khannouss' performance over the past 365 days, comparing him against other attacking midfielders and wingers. The chart evaluates three key areas: attacking (blue), possession (beige), and defending (red).
El Khannouss' attacking output appears relatively modest, with his non-penalty expected goals (npxG) and expected assisted goals (xAG) falling in the lower percentiles. His assists (26th percentile) and shot-creating actions (12th percentile) indicate he is not currently among the most productive attacking midfielders in terms of direct goal involvement.
A significant strength of El Khannouss is his ability to retain and distribute the ball. His pass completion rate (80th percentile) and progressive passing metrics (84th percentile in progressive passes, 69th percentile in progressive carries) suggest he is an effective link-up player who helps in ball progression. However, his successful take-ons (38th percentile) indicate that he does not frequently beat opponents in one-on-one situations.
Where El Khannouss truly stands out is in defensive contributions. He ranks highly in tackles and interceptions (89th percentile), aerial duels won (92nd percentile), and dribblers tackled (92nd percentile). These stats suggest he is an aggressive defender for an attacking midfielder, excelling in pressing and ball recovery.
The data paints El Khannouss as a defensively strong, possession-oriented midfielder rather than a prolific creator or goal threat. His ability to win aerial duels and break up opposition play is notable, making him a valuable asset for teams that require defensive work rate from their attacking midfielders.
Credit: Data provided by FBref via FBCharts.com.
Despite their struggles, Leicester still have a slim chance of avoiding the drop. They trail Wolves by six points and have a daunting run-in featuring fixtures against Manchester United, Manchester City, and Newcastle. However, crucial meetings with fellow strugglers Wolves, Ipswich, and Southampton could prove decisive in their battle for survival.
From El Khannouss' perspective, he is not actively pushing for an exit but could be tempted by a move should a Premier League club present a compelling offer. Leicester, meanwhile, view him as a crucial figure in their plans, whether in the top flight or the Championship, and believe he could be instrumental in their bid for an immediate return should they be relegated.