Leeds United have serious interest in Leicester City playmaker Bilal El Khannouss this summer.
The attacking midfielder can operate as a wide player as well, which is perhaps why Leeds United are keen to bring in his versatility. The 21-year-old also has resale value and further room to develop.
Ruud van Nistelrooy believes El Khannouss has Champions League potential and Leicester won’t want to lose him, but interest from Leeds in El Khannouss has since emerged in the last week.
The Leicester ace has spent just one season with the club, with El Khannouss signed from Belgian side Genk for £21 million last summer following their promotion to the Premier League.
The Bilal El Khannouss reaction from Leeds supporters
El Khannouss was part of our dream Leeds XI earlier in the summer, as the Moroccan playmaker was named as someone who could replace Brenden Aaronson earlier this summer.
El Khannouss would cost Leeds around £22 million, due to a release clause in his deal, per some claims. Others believe El Khannouss’ clause is closer to £24.5 million and that Leeds have held meetings with the player.
There is other interest in the English top flight, with Sunderland also said to be keen on El Khannouss. Leeds seem to be ahead of them in terms of current interest, though.
Most Leeds fans are not excited by the talk, given he contributed to eight goals last season but only five came in the league. One said: “Poor stats.. it’s a no From Me”
A further response read: “Just getting boring now 😴 Better than what we have though? Any better than Gnonto or Largie?”
Other fans don’t see him as a starter: “Would be a good squad player for us, gives us options.”
However, other fans are confused at the reaction to El Khannouss becoming a target, with one adding: “So many of our fans don’t actually watch football and it’s so clear to see in these replies… 🥱 #LUFC”
There are numerous reasons to sign someone of El Khannouss’ talents, but perhaps the most crucial reason is the fact he is capable from set-pieces, which will be utilised given Leeds’ squad height.
Leeds target Bilal El Khannouss has been compared to Luka Modric
The midfielder sent ripples around Europe after his campaign in Belgium as a result of his talents, with him even being compared to Tottenham and Real Madrid legend Luka Modric, per HotspurHQ.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| KRC Genk | 94 | 4 | 14 |
| Leicester City | 36 | 3 | 5 |
| Morocco | 22 | 1 | 2 |
Gert Verheyen, a Belgian legend with over 50 caps and 200 career goals believes he should’ve gone to the Bundesliga instead of Leicester. But Leeds will hope he performs better if he comes back to the Premier League again.
“I don’t understand why El Khannouss went to Leicester. Leicester… I think that’s a very bad choice”, he told Belgian daily Het Laatse Nieuws (via Voetbal Belgie).
If Leeds can play to his strengths, El Khannouss could be a great short and long-term asset.
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