Transfer news involving Daniel Farke's Leeds United and Bilal El Khannous.
(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media/Imago)
Aheed Abrar
Sat 9 August 2025 7:40, UK
Leeds United may have to be proactive to sign Leicester City playmaker Bilal El Khannouss.
The 21-year-old signed for the Foxes from Genk last summer and caught the attention of many with his performances in the Premier League.
El Khannouss has emerged as a target at Elland Road, and a meeting has taken place between the Whites and the attacking midfielder’s representatives.
MOT Leeds News understands that the West Yorkshire outfit are taking important strides to sign the Leicester star for Daniel Farke, but it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke waving at fans
Farke could welcome El Khannouss (Credit: Imago)
Leeds United face El Kahnnouss transfer challenge
Leeds haven’t made any progress since getting in touch with El Khannouss’ entourage, Graham Smyth says.
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The YEP journalist believes that either the Elland Road hierarchy don’t believe the Morocco international is worth his release clause, or feel that he doesn’t want to join the Whites.
Smyth suggests that interest from other clubs may be making things difficult for the West Yorkshire outfit to pursue a deal for the 21-year-old.
El Khannouss joined Leicester for £21million.
The attacking midfielder has a £24.5m release clause at the King Power Stadium.
The 21-year-old scored two goals and provided three assists in the Premier League last season.
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road Podcast (7 August), the journalist said: “There has been a lot of talk and a lot of names – but not a lot of substance to what’s being said. El Khannouss, Leeds, made an enquiry, and I believe they had talks with his camp. The last time I checked in with his camp, there was no update, and there was no progression on that.
“Now, no one is saying this, but my feeling would be if there is a release clause for this player and Leeds haven’t activated it, then you could deduce two things. One, they don’t value him as high as the release clause and would like to strike a deal, pay a little bit less, so that’s perhaps why they haven’t gone and done it.
“Or they aren’t so certain the player will come that they can just go and do the release clause, make an official bid and try and get him in. There are other clubs on the scene, and I think that is potentially making things a little more difficult on that one.”
Read More:Exclusive: Andreas Schjelderup could be next at Leeds after events this week
Farke should ask for El Khannouss alternatives at Elland Road
If Leeds can’t make any progress to sign El Khannouss in the coming days, it would make sense to move on to other targets.
With the Whites seemingly focusing on bolstering their attack before the end of August, there may be other targets who could better suit their needs.
The West Yorkshire outfit should make a move for Roma striker Artem Dovbyk, with the Serie A outfit open to his exit.
Player Age
Joel Piroe 26
Patrick Bamford 31
Lukas Nmecha 26
Sam Greenwood 23
Centre-forwards at Farke’s disposal.
Leeds missed out on Igor Paixao and turned their focus to El Khannouss, but the Leicester playmaker could potentially be out of their reach.
Mateo Joseph is on his way to Mallorca on loan, while Patrick Bamford also looks to be out of Farke’s plans for next season.
It would make sense for the West Yorkshire outfit to sign a new number nine and a winger in the coming weeks, but it remains to be seen how things unfold in LS11.
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