
Exclusive: Leicester ‘Magician’ Expected to Leave, Leeds and Tottenham Keen
Bilal El Khannouss could leave Leicester City before the summer window closes with Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United keen on a deal, GMS understands.
The Morocco international has a £22.5m (€26m) relegation release clause, although some interested clubs are speaking to Leicester about a slightly higher package in order to gain more preferable payment terms. Leicester are prepared to sell for around £25m unless someone triggers the clause.
Leeds United are considering a bid for the 21-year-old, who has also been discussed by Spurs. Crystal Palace, West Ham, Bayer Leverkusen and Saudi side Al-Ahli also have El Khanouss on their radar.
El Khannouss Expected to Leave Leicester
El Khannouss, who has been described as a ‘magician’ by scout Jacek Kulig, only joined Leicester last August from Gent for £21m with the Foxes beating off competition from Roma to secure his signature.
The Moroccan went on to play 32 Premier League games last season, scoring twice, but despite some impressive individual performances, Leicester got relegated to the Championship under now-departed manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Several sides are now in talks with Leicester, aware the Foxes are seeking another sale even despite the imminent departure of goalkeeper Mads Hermansen to West Ham for close to £20m. Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has also departed for Besiktas for £8m (€9.5m), as GMS exclusively revealed.
GMS understands El Khannouss, who was dubbed ‘phenomenal’, is hoping to either stay in the Premier League or join a club outside it with some form of European football.
The forward, who has been capped 21 times by the senior Morocco national team, played in the 2023/24 Europa League with Genk, so has experience of playing at the top level and doesn’t want to stay in the Championship.
A move away from the King Power Stadium is now expected in the final weeks of the transfer window, in what will be a blow to new manager Marti Cifuentes, who arrived from Queens Park Rangers this summer to replace Van Nistelrooy.
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Director set to fly to London to tie up deal for experienced Tottenham player
Tottenham could hold talks over a midfield sale this week as a club director flies to London, but West Ham United may also be interested.
It was reported by Alasdair Gold and other sources that Spurs were confident of offloading a midfielder soon after tying up a deal for Joao Palhinha.
Tottenham could hold talks over a midfield sale this week as a club director flies to London, but West Ham United may also be interested.
It is clear which player the Lilywhites will look to sacrifice, with reports widely claiming since the start of the summer that Tottenham are working to find a buyer for Yves Bissouma.
It may not be long before the North Londoners find a taker for the 28-year-old, with a Turkish club now stepping up their interest in the player.
Fenerbahce director to arrive in London to discuss Yves Bissouma deal with Tottenham
This update comes from Fotomac and claims that Fenerbahce, who are currently one step away from qualifying for the Champions League, are advancing on the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder.
It is revealed that the club, who are managed by former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, are ready to pay €15m (£13m) for Bissouma.
However, they are expected to face competition from West Ham United, who are also circling over the Mali international.