Leeds United are preparing for their big Premier League opener on Monday night when they will host Everton at Elland Road under the lights. However, the club are working hard behind the scenes to bolster their squad before the window closes in two weeks.
The Yorkshire giants signed Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer last week to strengthen their forward line. The former Everton forward snubbed a much more lucrative offer from Fenerbahce to move to Elland Road as he is keen to continue playing in the Premier League this season.
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Daniel Farke has made it clear that Calvert-Lewin cannot be the last addition to their attack. The club are in the market for a versatile attacking midfielder, a winger and another striker before the end of the transfer window.
Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss has been the top target for Leeds, and they have held talks with his representatives over a potential move to Elland Road this summer.
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Leeds United get a transfer boost in pursuit of Bilal El Khannouss following Crystal Palace move
Leeds have already offered a contract to the player, and were prepared to trigger his £30m release clause, before it expired at the end of last week.
Crystal Palace have been in advanced talks with the player’s representatives and are pushing hard to take him to Selhurst Park as Eberechi Eze’s replacement.
However, Leicester rejected an offer from Palace on Saturday, and the Eagles are prepared to look at alternatives.
According to The Athletic, Palace have now made an approach to Club Brugge for attacker Christos Tzolis, who is seen as El Khannouss’ replacement target.
They remain interested in the Leicester star, but are lining up other moves if the Foxes continue to be difficult during negotiations.
Tzolis joined the Belgian club from Fortuna Dusseldorf last summer, scoring 21 goals and registering 14 assists across 56 appearances in his first season.
He has three goals and two assists in seven games so far this campaign.
The attacker previously played in England with Norwich City before moving on from Carrow Road a couple of years back.
Leeds still have a chance to sign Bilal El Khannouss
Palace have the edge in the race, but Leeds have done a lot of groundwork on the deal to sign the Leicester City star this summer.
Leeds have made a concrete proposal and have explained the project at Elland Road under Farke.
The player has kept his options open, and if Palace decide to sign Tzolis in the coming days, Leeds can swoop in to work out a deal with Leicester to sign El Khannouss.
However, Leicester are in a good position to demand a big fee for the player as the release clause in his contract expired at the end of last week.
The Foxes have continued to play him, but the Moroccan was substituted at half-time in their 2-1 defeat at Preston on Saturday.
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