Latest news with #ElKhannouss
Daily Mirror
12-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Newcastle come out swinging as £24.5m Leeds transfer suddenly plunged into doubt
Newcastle are looking to bring Bilal El Khannouss to St James' Park as Eddie Howe seeks attacking reinforcements, with the Foxes midfielder also on the radar of Leeds United Newcastle are reportedly planning to outmanoeuvre Leeds in the race to sign Leicester's star midfielder Bilal El Khannouss. The Magpies have had several targets pinched from under their noses this summer, but are now planning a hijack of their own. El Khannouss's release clause stands at around £24.5 million, and Newcastle are 'ready' to trigger it. Eddie Howe has had a challenging summer in the transfer market, with talisman Alexander Isak eyeing a move to Liverpool. The club has also missed out on several high-profile targets to their Premier League rivals. Newcastle manager Howe is now aiming to turn the tide and deal a blow to Leeds by bringing the Moroccan international, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal this summer to St James' Park. Leicester acquired El Khannouss for £19.5m from Belgian side Genk last summer, but he could be on his way out due to a contract clause that can be activated following Leicester's relegation from the Premier League last season, according to The Telegraph. Leeds boss Daniel Farke had shown interest in the attacking midfielder, but with the player's clause set to expire this week, the Magpies are ramping up their efforts to secure El Khannouss's signature ahead of The Whites. El Khannouss played the full 90 minutes of Leicester's win over Sheffield United in the first match of the Championship season. The 21-year-old provided both assists for the goals scored by Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes in the 2-1 victory, reports the Express. Howe is on a mission to bolster his attacking options this summer, and El Khannouss, who stood out in an otherwise lacklustre season for Leicester last year, could be a savvy acquisition. Newcastle have already missed the boat on several targets this summer. Hugo Ekitike, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko were all on the Magpies' radar, but Ekitike ended up at Liverpool while Mbeumo, Cunha and Sesko all opted for Old Trafford. The Toon's heightened interest in El Khannouss comes as Isak, 25, has reportedly told the club he no longer wants to play for them. The bombshell comes amid strong interest from Liverpool, who have already had a £110million offer for the Swedish star rebuffed. Isak moved to Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022 and has since netted 54 goals in 86 Premier League matches. He was the league's second highest scorer last season and also found the back of the net in Newcastle's Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool. However, he has been absent from Newcastle's pre-season activities and was also left out of the club's Far East tour. Isak is currently training separately from his team-mates in England after embarking on a solo pre-season with his former club, Sociedad. As reported by The Athletic, Isak, who still has three years left on his contract, reportedly has no intention of rejoining the Magpies squad and is believed to have vacated his Newcastle residence. Howe's team kick off their Premier League season this Saturday against Aston Villa, and it's widely anticipated that Isak won't be involved in the action.
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Newcastle wants Bilal El Khannouss!
The Moroccan international is also attracting interest from other Premier League clubs, including Leeds. It's worth noting that El Khannouss played the full 90 minutes in Leicester's opening Championship match, a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday. He even provided two assists during the game.
Morocco World
22-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Sunderland Chase El Khannouss as Leicester Hold Firm
Sunderland are in advanced talks to sign Leicester City's Bilal El Khannouss but face stiff competition from Premier League rivals and clubs abroad. The 21-year-old midfielder has a £22.5m ($29m) relegation release clause, but Leicester, under financial pressure, are reluctant to sell below that figure. The Foxes only signed the Moroccan from Genk last summer for £20m ($27m), and still see him as a key asset. Sunderland are hoping to use Leicester's financial woes to negotiate a lower fee. But with Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Everton and AS Monaco circling, the deal risks becoming a bidding war. Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and manager Erik ten Hag are also monitoring El Khannouss, who impressed last season with three goals and five assists in 36 appearances. El Khannouss has not pushed for a move but is open to a top-flight return if the clause is met. Leicester want full payment plus a 10% sell-on clause. Sunderland, newly promoted, are backing head coach Régis Le Bris heavily. They've already spent around £85m ($110m) on six new signings, including Enzo Le Fée and Simon Adingra. El Khannouss is their top midfield target. Leicester, meanwhile, may also lose Wilfred Ndidi, who is available for £9m ($11.5m). Clubs including Manchester United and Juventus have shown interest. El Khannouss is currently training with Leicester and set to travel to Austria for pre-season. Whether he returns as a Fox remains uncertain. Sunderland are in hot pursuit of Leicester City midfielder Bilal El Khannouss, according to L'Équipe's Loic Tanzi. The newly promoted side are keen to add the Moroccan to their ranks, but face a stern challenge in negotiating below his £22.5m ($29m) release clause. The 21-year-old has three years left on his contract, and while Leicester aren't desperate to sell, their wobbly finances may force their hand. The Foxes want the full amount, plus a 10% resale clause – conditions Sunderland are reluctant to meet. The Black Cats, who've already splashed £85m ($110m) this summer, are hoping to use Leicester's predicament to their advantage. But delays could prove costly. Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, and Ligue 1 outfit Monaco are circling. Even Bayer Leverkusen, now under Erik ten Hag, are monitoring the situation. El Khannouss isn't agitating for a move, but the relegation-triggered clause gives clubs an open door. He impressed last season, racking up 36 appearances with three goals and five assists. Among a poor Leicester side, he was a rare spark. Sunderland have already secured Enzo Le Fée, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi, and Simon Adingra. El Khannouss is next on their wish list – but only if the price is right.
Morocco World
25-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Bayer Leverkusen Target Leicester's Bilal El Khannouss
Rabat — Moroccan international and Leicester City midfielder Bilal El Khannouss is currently under Bayer Leverkusen's radar as they look to fill the void left by Florian Wirtz's departure to Liverpool. The 21-year-old Moroccan international finds himself in an uncertain position after Leicester's relegation to the Championship following their 18th-place finish in the 2024-25 Premier League season. Despite the Foxes' struggles, El Khannouss showed promise during his debut campaign in English football. Leicester signed El Khannouss from Belgian club Genk last summer for £21 million. During his 32 Premier League appearances, the midfielder showed prowess, delivering solid performances despite his team's disappointing results and scoring two goals and three assists. Now, Leverkusen sees an opportunity. The German club recently sold their star playmaker Wirtz to Liverpool for a massive £116 million, leaving them with both the funds and the need to find a creative spark for their midfield. According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Leverkusen has already made contact regarding El Khannouss' terms. The Bundesliga runners-up had tracked the young midfielder during his time at Genk and now view this summer as the perfect moment to make their move. Manager Erik ten Hag wants to bring El Khannouss to the BayArena, where he would link up with fellow Moroccan Amine Adli. The club sees the Leicester man as the ideal candidate to help maintain their creative output following significant squad changes. Leverkusen won't have a clear path to El Khannouss, though. Wolverhampton Wanderers have also shown interest, reportedly considering him as a potential replacement for Matheus Cunha. The transfer looks feasible from a financial standpoint. Reports suggest El Khannouss has a release clause worth £22 million in his Leicester contract. For Leverkusen, flush with cash from the Wirtz sale, meeting that figure shouldn't present major obstacles. El Khannouss faces a crucial decision about his future. He can either help Leicester bounce back to the Premier League or take the next step in his career with a move to Germany's top flight. The Atlas Lion has already proven he can compete at the highest level during his Premier League stint. A switch to Leverkusen would offer him the chance to play Champions League football and continue his development under ten Hag's guidance. With Leicester's relegation confirmed and Leverkusen's genuine interest, this transfer story could develop quickly as the summer window progresses.
Morocco World
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Bilal El Khannouss on Wolves Radar to Replace Cunha
Wolverhampton Wanderers are eyeing Leicester City's Bilal El Khannouss as a priority signing this summer under Vítor Pereira. With Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha tipped for a move to Manchester United, Wolves are already planning for life without their main creative outlet. According to GiveMeSport , Pereira believes El Khannouss would be the perfect addition to fill the creative void in the final third. The 21-year-old has caught the eye with a strong season at Leicester, despite the club's relegation. In 36 games he played this season, El Khannouss scored 3 goals and provided 6 assists. But these stats do not give the full picture. The Moroccan is intelligent on the ball and has great decision-making and vision, which has earned him praise from scouts, with football talent spotter Jacek Kulig describing him as 'outstanding'. Wolves have already moved to strengthen the defence with the $22m signing of Emmanuel Agbadou from Reims in January. The focus now shifts to midfield. Leicester, however, are playing hardball. The Foxes won't entertain offers below $30m, and see El Khannouss as one of their key assets for an immediate push back to the Premier League. Wolves may soon submit a formal bid to test their resolve, but they're not alone. Arsenal have also been monitoring the situation closely, with Mikel Arteta reportedly an admirer of the budding playmaker's style and temperament. Tags: Atlas LionsBilal El KhannoussLeicesterWolves
