Arsenal eye Leicester star Ruud van Nistelrooy made feelings very clear about

Daily Mirror

02-05-2025

Arsenal are set for a busy summer transfer window as boss Mikel Arteta looks to boost his squad ahead of another expected Premier League title challenge next season
Arsenal are sizing up a move for Leicester starlet Bilal El Khannouss, who has received a vote of confidence from boss Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Gunners are looking to bolster Mikel Arteta's options across the pitch ahead of another title push next season.
Arteta's men have finished as runners-up in the last two campaigns and look set to end up second for a third time on the trot this term. One area that needs reinforcements is attacking midfield.
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Captain Martin Odegaard has been a virtual ever-present under Arteta when he has not been injured. But the Norwegian has struggled for form since returning from an ankle problem.
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There is no player capable of truly replacing Odegaard within Arteta's set-up. That has led to Arsenal turning their to potential candidates to act as competition for their skipper next season.
Fabio Vieira could be an option, but given his struggles on loan at Porto, it appears his time at the Emirates Stadium is over. That has led to the emergence of El Khannouss as a potential option.
The 20-year-old only joined Leicester from Genk last August in a £21million deal. But he has shone in what has been a woeful season for the Foxes as they have gone straight back down to the Championship.
According to The Sun, Arsenal are monitoring the young playmaker, who was named Genk's player of the season in his final year in Belgium. There are concerns about his physicality, but his 'incredible technique and vision' have impressed the Gunners.
It is said he could be a 'useful squad addition' for Arteta and Leicester's relegation means he could be relatively cheap, despite having three years to run on his contract. El Khannouss has scored three goals and notched five assists in his 35 appearances across all competitions.
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Van Nistelrooy is clearly a big fan of El Khannouss, having named him in every Premier League starting line-up of his tenure at the King Power Stadium. The Dutchman has even claimed the midfielder has the ability to star in the Champions League.
'His potential is there to be a top player in the Champions League. He can go a long way," the Leicester said earlier this season. 'He's not afraid to challenge the big teams in the league.
'He did very well in the home game (against Manchester City). He's young, he came into the Premier League this season. He's developing really well. He's looking to add to his numbers. It's a matter of time, the goals and assists, there are still games for him to add to those numbers.
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'He's a hard worker, he wants to improve. He's very young still. He's one definitely for the future of this club, to bring the club forward. He's come from the Belgian league to the Premier League. He's playing into a team where we're in the situation where we are.
'He's a technical player and he needs to be on the ball a lot. That's where his strengths are. For where we are, sometimes there are different games for him, but for his development it's great."