Newcastle United are looking to beat Tottenham and Leeds United to a deal for a £22 million former Premier League star.
Eddie Howe has suffered a frustrating transfer window to date as Newcastle United missed out on a succession of targets, culminating in Benjamin Sesko’s move to Manchester United.
However, with Newcastle looking set to land Malick Thiaw from AC Milan and a deal for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson edging closer, there are signs that Howe’s transfer woes are coming to an end.
Now, the Magpies look set to challenge Premier League rivals Tottenham and Leeds for the signing of Bilal El Khannouss as he looks increasingly likely to leave Leicester City this summer.
Bilal El Khannouss in action during Leicester City FC v Southampton FC - Premier League
Photo by James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images
Newcastle United enter the race to sign Bilal El Khannouss
Writing in a post on the social media site X (formerly Twitter), the Telegraph’s Midlands Football Reporter, John Percy, stated that Newcastle have entered the race to sign the Moroccan international.
Percy’s post said: “Newcastle have a strong interest in [Leicester City] attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss and are looking at a possible deal.
“El Khannouss has a release clause and is also attracting interest from other PL clubs, including Leeds, in this window”
Leicester signed El Khannouss from Genk at the start of the 2024/25 season, and his contract is reported to contain a relegation release clause of 26 million euros (around £22 million).
As a result, several Premier League clubs are hoping to tempt him back into the top flight after he dropped to the Championship with the Foxes last season.
El Khannouss impresses for Leicester City in Championship opener
With the scouts of several Premier League clubs watching on with interest, El Khannouss took to the field in Leicester’s opening round win in the Championship, as they overcame the financially-stricken Sheffield Wednesday.
According to Squawka, El Khannouss completed more final third passes than any other Championship player in the opening round, with an impressive thirty-three.
No player created more chances, created more big chances or provided more assists than Bilal El Khannouss in the Championship this weekend. 👏
◉= Most chances created (4)
◉ Most big chances created (3)
◉ Most assists (2)
The 21-year-old was fantastic. 💫 pic.twitter.com/LCkb8PnG01
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 10, 2025
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El Khannouss also created the most chances, with four, the most big chances (three) and made the most assists in the second tier, with two.
He now looks set to be the subject of an intense scramble for his services following Newcastle’s entry into the race.