Leicester City have been in the market for a new winger over the weekend, as Marti Cifuentes looks to take his team back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
The Foxes are battling Celtic for Feyenoord winger Calvin Stengs, although the Scottish giants will only pursue a move if they do qualify for the League Phase of the Champions League this season.
Back in the Championship, it’s been a steady yet slightly underwhelming start for the East Midlands outfit. They do have six points on the board, but they are yet to secure a convincing win since relegation to the second tier was confirmed.
Nevertheless, with less than a week to go in the transfer window, the race for new signings is beginning to heat up. However, for Leicester, Stengs may not be their ultimate target.
Where Leicester City stand in the race for Calvin Stengs
The 26-year-old is yet to make an appearance for Feyenoord this season, and the Dutch club are open to selling the winger this summer.
Calvin Stengs of Feyenoord during the Club Friendly match between Feyenoord v Royale Union SG
Photo by Jeroen van den Berg/Soccrates/Getty Images
However, it has now been reported by Anthony Joseph that Leicester will only seek out a deal for Stengs if Bilal El Khannouss leaves the King Power Stadium before next Monday’s transfer deadline day.
This comes after Serie A side Pisa held advanced talks with the ex-AZ Alkmaar man, as they look to secure a loan move for the winger.
El Khannouss looked set to join Crystal Palace before Eberechi Eze chose a move to Arsenal over Tottenham Hotspur, and Spurs may well find themselves back in the race for the Morocco international.
Keeping Bilal El Khannouss will be difficult for the Foxes
Ensuring that Leicester keep their options open is crucial with such little time left in the transfer window, and Stengs must remain a target for them.
However, keeping hold of El Khannouss is obviously how Cifuentes wants to end this summer, although he was left out of the team against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
Bilal El Khannouss of Leicester City against Sheffield Wednesday
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
It would not be a surprise to see Tottenham launch a significant bid for the 21-year-old in the coming days, as the Europa League champions continue to miss out on other targets.
Nevertheless, Leicester will have to move quickly for Stengs if this does happen and they must not allow Celtic or Pisa to overtake them in the race for the Dutch winger.