Leeds United are keen to sign Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss ahead of the transfer deadline, and the Foxes are eyeing replacements.
Only 21, Bilal El Khannouss has plenty of potential but also the ability to impact games now. He is a set-piece taker and Leeds United are a team full of height and physicality in 2025/26.
Leeds’ El Khannouss interest has been most significant of any of the reported teams in the mix for his signature and Leicester are likely to sell El Khannous in this window after their relegation from the Premier League.
It was said Leeds held a meeting with El Khannouss’ camp a couple of weeks ago and also that El Khannouss’ wage demands are not an issue for the West Yorkshire outfit.
Calvin Stengs lined up as Bilal El Khannouss’ replacement at Leicester
Along with Emi Buendia, El Khannouss is one of four attacking midfielders linked to Leeds currently. However, they are not the only Premier League side in the race.
Crystal Palace are seriously keen on El Khannouss and see him as a potential Eberechi Eze replacement, with David Ornstein confirming Palace’s El Khannouss attempts had ramped up a week ago.
Leicester have rejected Palace’s approaches for El Khannouss up to now. Then came decisive talks regarding El Khannouss and Palace last week, but the move hasn’t yet materialised and Leeds could still monitor the situation.
That is because it’s been made abundantly clear El Khannouss wants to leave Leicester amid the talk of Palace’s situation being ‘tense’ with the Foxes. That means El Khannouss move to Selhurst Park has stalled.
A move could accelerate if a replacement is sourced. Versatile attacking midfielder or winger Calvin Stengs was on Leeds’ shortlist a year ago. The Feyenoord playmaker was someone Daniel Farke and co. considered to replace Georginio Rutter.
Stengs didn’t want to leave Feyenoord but he could now be the key to El Khannouss’ exit. Anthony Joseph and Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports have the latest on the situation.
Joseph has explained Leicester are in talks to sign Stengs, with Feyenoord open to selling him in this window. However, Celtic have also explored the conditions of a deal and are more likely to follow-up their interest if they make it to the Champions League group phase.
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How Stengs performed last season after Leeds’ interest
Having joined Feyenoord in 2023 from OGC Nice, Stengs had a stunning campaign by notching 25 goal involvements and stirring up transfer interest from Leeds and the likes in the process.
Last season, however, the 26-year-old had a series of injury issues. That included knee surgery at one stage, as well as other hamstring and ankle issues.
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2024/25 | 16 | 1 | 4 |
| 2023/24 | 43 | 8 | 17 |
He seldom was able to play last year, which is why his output dropped off a cliff. Leicester would be signing a talented, albeit injury-prone, player if they sign him.
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