Crystal Palace are closing in on a £32m move for Leicester star Bilal El Khannouss amid Sunderland and Newcastle links
The 21-year-old Moroccan international has been one of Leicester’s standout performers since arriving from Genk in 2022, but his time at the King Power looks set to end following the Foxes’ relegation back to the Championship. Sky Sports report that Palace are in advanced talks over a move, with a fee worth up to £32million expected to be finalised soon.
Sunderland had been previously linked with El Khannouss earlier in the window as part of their ambitious summer rebuild under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Régis Le Bris. Sources in Belgium suggested the Black Cats were among the Premier League clubs monitoring the highly rated midfielder, but Palace have now stolen a march in the race.
Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, West Ham, and Everton have all been credited with interest at various stages this summer. However, NewcastleWorld report that Newcastle are not pursuing a deal, with suggestions of agent-driven speculation intended to prompt other suitors into action.
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El Khannouss joined Leicester from Belgian side Genk for £21million in August 2024 and has since made 33 appearances for the Foxes, scoring three goals and adding creativity in a difficult campaign. His performances were one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season for Leicester, with his vision, ball control, and ability to navigate tight spaces drawing plaudits from pundits and scouts alike.
His former coach at Genk, Michel Ribeiro, previously described him as having “eyes in his back,” praising his exceptional spatial awareness and ability to anticipate the movement of teammates and opponents. That intelligence, combined with his agility and technical quality, has made El Khannouss one of the most sought-after young midfielders in Europe.
The Moroccan international also has significant experience on the international stage. After representing Belgium at youth level, El Khannouss switched allegiance to Morocco and was included in their squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He made his senior debut in the third-place playoff against Croatia and later starred in the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Morocco lift the title and qualify for the 2024 Olympics.
For Sunderland, the player’s likely move to Selhurst Park will come as a blow to their hopes of adding another creative spark to Le Bris’ midfield options. The Black Cats have already spent heavily this summer, completing a series of high-profile deals, but El Khannouss’ profile fit their model of signing young, high-upside talents who retain significant resale value.
However, Sunderland are not expected to move for El Khannouss now, with Palace’s advanced negotiations making a deal highly unlikely unless talks collapse unexpectedly. If completed, the £32million transfer would represent one of Crystal Palace’s biggest-ever deals and highlights the growing market for emerging talent in the Premier League.
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