Leeds United are still in the market for a winger after missing out on Igor Paixao and on Wednesday, they made inroads in their pursuit to finally replace Manor Solomon.
Solomon has returned to Tottenham and while Jack Harrison has returned after his two years on loan at Everton, Leeds want a left-sided winger. Paixao was the priority, but Marseille have now agreed a move.
That left Leeds in the lurch, with some reports suggesting they were interested in Fiorentina’s Riccardo Sottil and Ajax’s Mika Godts. But Graham Smyth says links with Sottil and Godts were wide of the mark.
Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss has been linked for the last week or so, and now, reports say Leeds have made their move to sign the Morocco international as Adam Underwood looks to strike an eighth deal.
Leeds hold Wednesday meeting with Bilal El Khannouss’ camp
Leicester endured a dismal season during 2024-25, but El Khannouss was a rare bright spark. Clocking up 36 appearances, the former Genk ace had a hand in eight goals, five of which came in the Premier League.
That has seen clubs like Crystal Palace target El Khannouss, while Sunderland have looked at Leeds’ list of targets again. Foot Mercato’s Santi Aouna says Leeds held a meeting with his camp on Wednesday.
They have informed his agents that they will pay his £24.5m release clause. The clause ends on August 15. It is unclear if El Khannouss wants to join Leeds, but it would see him return to the Premier League.
Aouna said: “A meeting took place yesterday between Bilal El Khannouss’ camp and Leeds United. They informed the player that they want to trigger his release clause of £24.5M. Clause available until 15/08. Still no offer from Crystal Palace and Leipzig.”
The trump card Leeds have in talks to sign Bilal El Khannouss
Leeds seem to be the club pushing to sign El Khannouss the hardest, as The Whites look to quickly move on from the failure of Paixao. Palace and Leipzig are touted with interest in the report, but yet to move.
Leeds do have a trump card in pursuit of the Leicester City attacker, and it is that he is represented by Stirr Associates according to TransferMarkt. An agency that represents Leeds man Sebastiaan Bornauw.
Underwood and Leeds have obviously held talks with Bornauw this summer to strike his £5m arrival and the connection there will be fresh. But of course, it all boils down to whether El Khannouss is interested.
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