Leeds United’s Continued Pursuit of Bilal El Khannouss: A Complex Transfer Battle Heating Up
As the summer transfer window races toward its conclusion, Leeds United’s interest in Leicester City’s promising young playmaker Bilal El Khannouss remains very much alive, though far from straightforward. Over recent weeks, this transfer story has become one of the more captivating sagas of the Premier League summer market — involving competing clubs, shifting valuations, strategic recalibrations, and a real tussle for a rising star in European football.
Who is Bilal El Khannouss?
Before diving deeper into the transfer dynamics, it’s useful to understand who El Khannouss is and why he is attracting such wide interest.
Bilal El Khannouss is a highly-rated 20-year-old attacking midfielder who plays for Leicester City. He possesses excellent technical ability, vision, and creativity — key traits that make him stand out as a player who can change games by unlocking defenses with incisive passes and clever movement. El Khannouss is comfortable operating in tight spaces and is known for his composure on the ball, despite his youth.
His breakthrough season came in the previous campaign, where he showcased glimpses of his talent at the highest level. That potential has not gone unnoticed, with scouts from across Europe and the Premier League keen to assess his value and fit within their squads.
Leeds United’s Search for Creativity
Leeds United’s interest in El Khannouss is rooted in a clear strategic need: the club is seeking a creative spark to help bridge the gap between midfield and attack. Under the management of Daniel Farke, Leeds have struggled to consistently unlock opposition defenses and maximize the talents of their forwards.
Earlier in the summer, Leeds pursued other creative options such as Igor Paixao and Facundo Buonanotte — both of whom would have brought flair and technical skill to the final third. However, those transfers failed to materialize, forcing Leeds to look elsewhere.
El Khannouss fits the profile Leeds need: a dynamic, creative playmaker capable of controlling the tempo, creating chances, and adding unpredictability in attack. Leeds’ renewed focus on him shows their intent to secure a player who can immediately impact their style and results.
Leicester City’s Post-Relegation Realities
Leicester City’s relegation from the Premier League at the end of the last season has significantly changed the club’s outlook. Relegation forces clubs to rethink financial and squad strategies to survive and compete in the Championship, a notoriously challenging league.
Selling key assets is often necessary, and El Khannouss is among the players Leicester are likely to move on, especially with multiple clubs expressing interest.
Despite this, Leicester are not desperate sellers. Reports indicate that El Khannouss has not featured prominently this season, hinting at his uncertain role, but the club wants to extract maximum value. This is evident in the hike of his transfer price from his €22 million release clause to a reported €40 million (£35 million) asking price, nearly doubling the initial valuation.
The Competitive Transfer Landscape
Leeds United are not alone in chasing El Khannouss. The interest has been broad and persistent, reflecting the player’s potential and the scarcity of high-quality young creative midfielders available this summer.
Crystal Palace: Seen as early front-runners, Crystal Palace were keen to sign El Khannouss as a potential replacement for their departed playmaker Eberechi Eze. Their efforts intensified around a week ago, with journalist David Ornstein confirming Palace had ramped up attempts to secure the player. However, this move has now stalled, and Palace have reportedly withdrawn from the race.
Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs were linked with El Khannouss, but the signing of Xavi Simons, a similar profile player, seems to have ended Tottenham’s pursuit.
West Ham United: In a late development, West Ham have shown interest, adding another Premier League club into the mix and increasing the competition for the player.
European Clubs: Beyond England, German side VfB Stuttgart have also expressed interest following the departure of Nick Woltemade. This highlights El Khannouss’ appeal beyond the Premier League, making the transfer environment even more complicated.
Tactical and Squad Considerations for Leeds and Leicester
For Leeds, El Khannouss represents more than just a signing; he’s a potential solution to a tactical problem. Leeds’ attack has often lacked cohesion and creativity, and adding a midfielder capable of unlocking defenses with vision and skill could transform their approach. The player’s style — quick, clever passing and spatial awareness — complements Leeds’ fast-paced, pressing system under Daniel Farke.
At Leicester, the situation is evolving. The club appears ready to rebuild with younger players, giving opportunities to talents such as 17-year-old Louis Page, who started against Birmingham City and delivered an assist. El Khannouss’ absence from recent matchday squads — including being left out against Birmingham and Charlton Athletic — suggests the club may be ready to let him go if the price is right.
Financial Dynamics and Negotiation Challenges
The increase in El Khannouss’ asking price from €22 million to about €40 million is a significant hurdle. While the initial release clause attracted attention from many clubs, Leicester’s decision to raise the valuation reflects their desire to capitalize on the player’s potential value amid high demand.
For Leeds, this means negotiations will be complex and require both financial muscle and strategic patience. Meeting Leicester’s demands could strain Leeds’ budget, especially with other ongoing transfer targets and wage considerations.
The timing is also crucial. With the window closing soon, Leeds must act decisively. The collapse of their loan deal for Facundo Buonanotte has left them with limited time to finalize a deal for El Khannouss or find an alternative creative midfielder.
The Player’s Perspective
While clubs negotiate, El Khannouss himself faces important decisions. A move to Leeds could offer him regular Premier League football, a chance to develop under a manager willing to give him responsibility, and a platform to showcase his talent on a big stage.
However, the interest from other Premier League clubs like West Ham or Tottenham, as well as European teams, means he has options. His decision will likely weigh playing time, club stability, ambition, and financial terms.
The Broader Impact on Leeds and Leicester
If Leeds succeed in signing El Khannouss, it would be a statement of intent — signaling their ambition to push higher in the Premier League by investing in young, dynamic talent. The player could be pivotal in improving their creative output and results.
For Leicester, selling El Khannouss would be part of a broader rebuilding process. While losing a promising player is never ideal, the funds generated could help stabilize the club financially and support their efforts to bounce back to the Premier League.
What to Watch for Next?
Price Negotiations: Will Leeds meet Leicester’s €40 million asking price, or can they negotiate a lower fee?
Competition: Will West Ham or any other club step in with a late bid?
Player’s Decision: Where does El Khannouss see the best opportunity for his career?
Deadline Drama: Will the deal be completed before the transfer window closes, or will it drag on?
Conclusion
Leeds United’s pursuit of Bilal El Khannouss is emblematic of the modern transfer market — complex, competitive, and unpredictable. The player’s talent has attracted multiple suitors, the selling club is demanding a premium, and the buying clubs are weighing needs, finances, and timing.
For Leeds, landing El Khannouss could be transformative, providing the creative lifeline their team desperately needs. For Leicester, it’s about making a difficult but necessary decision to move on a key asset to aid their rebuilding.
As the deadline looms, this story will be one to watch closely, with the potential to shape not only Leeds’ season but also El Khannouss’ career trajectory and Leicester’s future direction.