Bilal El Khannouss has a clear preference between Leeds United and Crystal Palace for his next move

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Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss now has a clear preference for his future club after weeks of speculation linking him to Leeds United.

As Leeds edge closer to securing a deal for AC Milan winger Noah Okafor, Daniel Farke is close to having a complete squad for the new season.

With the Whites linked with a move for James Justin, they remain active in the transfer market as the new season approaches.

Bilal El Khannouss has also been linked with a move to Elland Road for several weeks, as Leeds look to strengthen their options in attack.

However, that move now appears unlikely, after updates from journalists Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook.

Bilal El Khannouss delivers Leeds United blow

In a post on the social media site X (formerly Twitter), Jacobs delivered the bad news to Leeds fans that El Khannouss has a clear preference for a move to Selhurst Park to join Crystal Palace this summer. Jacobs’ post states: “Bilal El Khannouss has told Leicester City he wants to join Crystal Palace.

“LCFC want around £30m. El Khannouss’ relegation release clause has expired. Palace view El Khannouss as a replacement for Eberechi Eze.”

Crook, who worked on the story in tandem with Jacobs, added that Leicester will demand approximately £30 million to release El Khannouss from his deal.

As a result, it now appears that Leeds will miss out in their attempt to convince the Moroccan international to move to West Yorkshire ahead of the new season.

However, with the deal to sign Okafor seemingly now a distinct possibility, Leeds may have already moved away from their pursuit of the midfielder.

Leicester City man is not a natural fit for Daniel Farke’s system

Whilst El Khannouss has demonstrated his ability to compete in the Premier League and is undoubtedly a high-class player, there was always a question about how he would fit into the Leeds side.

Farke has alternated between a 4-5-1 and a 4-3-3 at different points in pre-season, with a solid midfield base featuring at least two holding midfielders, having brought in both Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach.

Okafor’s expected arrival shows that Daniel Farke has prioritised signing a wide player to replace former loanee Manor Solomon, with a back-up full-back now appearing to be the final priority for Leeds in this window.

With Ao Tanaka capable of playing in a more advanced role, there was always a question of where El Khannouss would fit. As a result, his decision to prioritise Crystal Palace may not be the blow most fans would imagine.