TBR Football understand Crystal Palace are willing to sign both Yeremy Pino and Bilal El Khannouss after losing Eberechi Eze.
The Eagles received £68m from Arsenal for the England international, which now needs to be reinvested in attacking talent with just days remaining until the transfer deadline on Monday.
Crystal Palace are currently in advanced negotiations with Villarreal over a deal for Yeremy Pino – who is set to cost around €55m (£48m) – but sources also inform TBR Football that the south Londoners are favourites to land Bilal El Khannouss from Leicester as well.
Exclusive: Crystal Palace front of the queue for Bilal El Khannouss as Yeremy Pino deal progresses
Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent for TBR Football – can now confirm that Crystal Palace remain interested in the Leicester No.11 despite advancing in talks with Villarreal for the Spain international.
Some panic emerged from within the Crystal Palace fanbase after Tottenham made an approach for El Khannouss – having been pipped to Eze by Arsenal – and Marti Cifuentes added fuel to the fire by leaving the Morocco international out on Saturday as Leicester beat Charlton at The Valley.
However, we understand Crystal Palace are still in pole position to sign the African wonderkid – who is in favour of a move to Selhurst Park – despite the pursuit of Pino.
Talks are ongoing, but TBR Football have been told Crystal Palace know El Khannouss is still being offered around to other clubs, and they won’t hang around waiting for the 21-year-old until the final hours of the window.
A deal for Pino – described as a “fascinating” player – is much more advanced, with sources stressing that a medical has already been booked for the Spain international, who is keen on the move to SE25.
Crystal Palace and Villarreal are still in discussions as they aim to iron out the finer details of the deal.
Bilal El Khannouss and Yeremy Pino can play together for Crystal Palace – could be the new Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise
In terms of profiles, El Khannouss and Pino could complement each other well.
The Villarreal No.21 typically lines up on the right flank – making 24 appearances in that area last season – cutting inside similarly to how Michael Olise operated for Crystal Palace, albeit preferring to use his right foot.
Pino can also play on the left, so he would bring versatility to Selhurst Park.
El Khannouss is slightly different, making 27 appearances in a central attacking midfield role last term – typically starting on the left before roaming inside the pitch on his right foot, like Eze.
Therefore – if this double deal materialises – Oliver Glasner will surely be a lot happier than he has appeared to be in recent press conferences.