It was clear on Friday night that Bilal El Khannouss would be leaving Leicester City, when the Leeds United target was not even named on the Leicester bench to play against Birmingham City.
Leicester won that night, and proved to fans that they can do it against one of the Championship’s best sides without their Moroccan playmaker. Leeds continue to be linked with El Khannouss this summer.
It has been going on for some time, after Leeds initially held a meeting with El Khannouss’ agents and informed them they would match Leicester’s release clause. El Khannouss was keen on a Leeds move.
But since then, the release clause has expired and Leicester now want a massive £35m. LeedsUnited.News understands Leeds have reopened talks with El Khannouss, but it appears Stuttgart are winning the race.
Photo by Kristian Skeie – UEFA/UEFA via Getty ImagesStuttgart make Bilal El Khannouss bid after £69m sale
German side Stuttgart are suddenly flush with cash after Newcastle splashed a club-record £69m to sign giant striker Nick Woltemade. The new Toon star was actually at Elland Road on Saturday to watch on.
It appears Stuttgart are looking to bring in El Khannouss, according to a report from transfer expert Pete O’Rourke: “Understand Stuttgart have submitted a £26m bid to sign Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss.”
Leeds may still have a chance with Leicester wanting more
At one point, it was said Leicester were blocking a move for El Khannouss because they wanted to sell him to a Saudi Arabian side. They believed that would give them the best chance of their price tag being met.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
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Leicester are no longer under PSR constraints having sold James Justin to Leeds, and Kasey McAteer to Ipswich. But Stuttgart’s bid still falls under Leicester’s El Khannouss price tag. The door could still be open.
Whether Leeds are willing to exceed Stuttgart’s offer for El Khannouss remains to be seen. While he is a young, exciting player, he has only had one season in the Premier League and the jury remains out.