Leeds United target Bilal El Khannouss has not been included in Leicester City's squad for their EFL Championship clash against Charlton Athletic amid speculation over his future.
The Whites are one of the clubs to be linked with an interest in the Morocco international this summer. They have held talks over a possible transfer.
A move to Elland Road doesn't seem to have progressed, though, despite Leeds looking for a No.10.
Fellow Premier League outfit Crystal Palace appear to be leading the race for El Khannouss with it reported earlier this week that a broad agreement worth £32million had been reached between the Foxes and the Eagles.
It was, though, said that Palace were not yet 'full committed' to the transfer - and continue to assess their options. The club are on the search for a replacement for Eberechi Eze who is closing in on a transfer to Arsenal.
Amid the talk over his future, one big transfer hint has now been sent by Leicester as they return to domestic duties. Despite starting the first two matches of the season, El Khannouss is nowhere to be seen on Leicester's team-sheet for their clash against Charlton Athletic at the Valley.
He has been replaced in the starting XI by academy graduate Louis Page.
The decision comes after El Khannouss was taken off at half-time of last week's 2-1 defeat away at Preston. After the game, manager Marti Cifuentes said that he wasn't very happy with the 21-year-old's performance, in the first 45 minutes.
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"I wasn't very happy with Bilal's performance," he said. "With players of this quality, I always expect a lot.
"I wasn't happy with the whole performance in the first half, about the whole team, so it's not just about Bilal.
"But usually I'm more demanding with the best players and Bilal is a fantastic player."
Asked if he had explained this to El Khannouss, Cifuentes replied: "He knows very well."
Despite him not being in the squad, the player was in training with Leicester on Friday as they prepared for the game. The midfielder was pictured with the rest of the squad, celebrating the 80th birthday of club ambassador Alan Birchenall.
Speaking to Sky Sports, via Leicestershire Live before the game, Cifuentes explained the decision to leave the midfielder out of the squad. "Bilal is a fantastic young player, very talented," he said.
"We felt it was not the easiest week and in the end we decided to take him out of the spotlight, just because I think it's the best for him and for the team."
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