The race for Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss has been long and fraught and even now, Leeds United have been handed some fresh hope in pursuit of the Moroccan playmaker.
El Khannouss, 22, has been strongly linked with a number of Premier League clubs this summer. The Leicester star is expected to leave The King Power before Monday’s deadline as he pushes for a transfer.
Leeds are interested in El Khannouss, with Adam Underwood holding a meeting with El Khannouss’ representatives earlier this month. Leeds are said to have informed his camp they wanted to do a deal.
Plenty has since happened even if El Khannouss had informed Leeds he was keen on a move to Elland Road. With Eberechi Eze joining Arsenal, Crystal Palace had opened talks to sign the Leicester attacker.
James Justin of Leicester City
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New Bilal El Khannouss twist as Leicester increase price tag
Palace though, have opted to pull out of a move for El Khannouss. According to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett, Leicester no longer have to sell players in order to comply with Profit & Sustainability Rules.
Bilal El Khannouss playing for Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
That is after offloading Kasey McAteer to Ipswich Town and of course, James Justin to Leeds for a £10m fee. Now, Justin’s move could help Leeds land El Khannouss, with Palace choosing to pull out of a move.
Dorsett said: “I’m told Palace deal for Bilal El Khannouss has collapsed. Leicester no longer need to sell to satisfy PSR, having sold James Justin and Kasey McAteer. Would now take £35m, Palace won’t pay that.”
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Will Leeds pay £35m to sign Bilal El Khannouss in final days?
While it will come as a boost that Palace are now out of the running and Leeds could conceivably have a free run at Leicester’s prized asset, Leeds would still have to part with a whopping fee of £35m to get him.
The official club badge of Crystal Palace.
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The signing of Justin has seen Leeds take their spending north of £100m. They have done so without a permanent sale since the window opened, though Rasmus Kristensen’s exit is on this year’s books.
Daniel Farke wants an attacker that can play in multiple positions, like Juventus ace Nico Gonzalez. El Khannouss does fit that mould but at £35m, just £500,000 below Leeds’ record, he would be expensive.