Crystal Palace have agreed personal terms with Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss to replace Eberechi Eze, according to Santi Aouna.
The 2024/25 season will be forever remembered by Crystal Palace fans, who saw their club win the FA Cup, their first-ever major English trophy. Though, due to rules on multi-club ownership, Palace will be playing in the upcoming Conference League rather than the Europa League, it is still a major achievement for Oliver Glasner.
Glasner, who also guided Palace to winning the Community Shield against Liverpool, has made just two additions to his squad at the time of writing, in no small part due to the long proceedings over which European competition they will play in. To date, Palace have signed left-back Borna Sosa and goalkeeper Walter Benitez.
With star midfielder and FA Cup final goalscorer Eberechi Eze set to leave Palace this summer, it would appear that the Eagles are edging closer to securing his replacement.
Palace Agree Personal Terms With El Khannouss
Morocco's Bilal El Khannouss
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Morocco v Peru - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - March 28, 2023 Morocco's Bilal El Khannouss in action REUTERS/Susana Vera
In a dire season for Leicester City, Bilal El Khannouss, who signed from Genk last summer, was one of the few bright spots. The Moroccan international showcased blistering ability and his numbers from the campaign do not do justice to how well he played in his Premier League debut.
At just 21 years of age, a Premier League move for El Khannouss, who has been called “phenomenal,” has been expected since Leicester’s relegation. Now, according to Aouna, it appears that the number 10 has agreed personal terms with Palace, who have shown multiple times over the years that they are a great club for young players to develop.
Palace’s first bid, which was rejected, was, reportedly, £20 million, a little lower than El Khannouss’ release clause which has now expired. The Foxes want more, but the midfielder’s desire to play for Palace and their status as a Premier League club aiming for a Championship player may mean that the transfer is just a matter of time.
If Eze leaves, the Eagles would desperately need a replacement for that creativity and there are few better options on the market than El Khannouss.
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