Wednesday promises to be an important day for Leeds United and Daniel Farke in the summer transfer window.
Leeds United’s summer transfer window has so far been a positive one. Eight new players have arrived at Elland Road, with Leeds United completing a deal to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin last week following the striker’s release from Everton at the end of last season.
But there remain gaps in the side. Monday night’s game against Everton proved that Leeds United are still in need of some attacking reinforcements before the September 1st deadline.
Although Leeds United beat Everton 1-0 to pick up an important three points in the opening day, Daniel Farke’s side still looked like they were missing a bit of extra spark in the final third, with a new number 10 having been a priority for the Whites throughout the summer.
And one name mentioned is Bilal El Khannouss at Leicester City. The Foxes talisman looks poised to lead the King Power this summer, with multiple Premier League clubs showing an interest. Right now though, it seems to be Crystal Palace who are the most keen.
Bilal El Khannouss of Leicester City.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Leeds United watch on as Bilal El Khannouss faces crucial 24 hours
Crystal Palace look set to lose key player Eze. The former QPR man seems like a key target for Spurs who are pushing hard to sign the attacking midfielder in the coming days. And Oliver Glasner appears to want El Khannouss to come in and replace Eze at Selhurst Park.
Recent reports though revealed that Leicester City have rejected Palace’s approaches for El Khannouss up to now. It includes improved bids from Palace as Leicester City remain keen on the player, whose release clause actually expired last week. However, journalist Sacha Tavolieri has shared a somewhat cryptic message on the matter.
He says that ‘the next few hours will be absolutely decisive’ in the finalisations of deals for Eze to join Spurs and El Khannouss to join Palace, suggesting that today (Wednesday) will be the day where we’ll see some really firm movement on the matter.
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🏴🔁🇲🇦 The next few hours will be absolutely decisive for the finalization of the deals: Eberechi Eze to Tottenham and Bilal El Khannouss to Crystal Palace.
👀 I’m already looking forward to tomorrow. #THFC #CPFC
😈 pic.twitter.com/u0qjab8Etc
— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) August 19, 2025
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Bilal El Khannouss’ preference revealed amid Leeds United interest
It is understood that Leicester City want £30million to sell El Khannouss this summer, following the expiry of his release clause. But recent reports revealed how El Khannouss would prefer to join Crystal Palace this summer over any other club, and so for Leeds United it certainly looks like their attempts to sign the Moroccan international are all but over, or at least they will be after today.
But Farke may have found a solution for his number 10 woes, which is simply not really playing with one at all. Ao Tanaka played as the more advanced midfielder against Everton, but he was arguably more of a number 8. Anton Stach can also operate as a more attacking-minded midfielder, and there is of course Brenden Aaronson, though he looks set to play only a rotational role this summer.
There remains little under two weeks left of the transfer window and Leeds could yet turn their attentions to other such attacking players, like Christantus Uche who has been linked with Leeds United in the last few days, and he’s a number 10.
As for El Khannouss however, it looks like he is on the verge of joining Palace.