Leeds United remain in the market for a new attacker this summer, but one option is being blocked from a move before the deadline – because his club want him to join a Saudi Arabian club.
Leeds have now completed 10 summer signings and spent £108.5m after agreeing a move to sign James Justin from Leicester City. Justin’s arrival comes a few days after Noah Okafor joined for £18m from Milan.
Plenty of new faces, but there is still some work left to do before the deadline. Another attacker is on the Leeds radar, while Leeds could target a midfielder after injuries to key duo Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu.
Plenty of names have been linked when it comes to attackers. Daniel Farke wants a player who can play in a few different roles, like Juventus’ Nico Gonzalez. Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte has also been linked.
Bilal El Khannouss in action during Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday - Sky Bet Championship
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Leicester blocking Bilal El Khannouss exit with Leeds keeping tabs
Leeds have held a meeting with Bilal El Khannouss’ camp, and El Khannouss is supposedly keen on Leeds. The Morocco international is desperate to leave Leicester and has made that clear, as per a new report.
Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri says El Khannouss will not change his stance, he wants to leave Leicester. It comes after Crystal Palace pulled out of a move with Leicester no longer under PSR pressure to sell him.
Tavoleri says that Leicester are now blocking a move because they want to sell El Khannouss to a Saudi Arabian club:: “It’s going badly for El Khannouss. Leicester turn down offers that interest the Moroccan.
Daniel Farke smiling ahead of Leeds United vs Sheffield Wednesday.
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“Because Saudi Arabia recently approached Leicester and they feel they can get big money with SPL club, trying to influence his choice Once again, El Khannouss expressed his desire to leave the club,” he said.
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“He won’t change his mind even if he stays by the end of the window as he reiterated during a meeting that he no longer sees his future with the Foxes,” Tavolieri continued, discussing El Khannouss’ future.
🦊🇲🇦 It's going badly for Bilal El Khannouss. Leicester City turns down offers that interest the Moroccan because of Saudi Arabia recent approaches as #LCFC feels they can get big money with SPL club and try to influence his choice.
🙅♂️ Once again, El Khannouss expressed his… pic.twitter.com/9epciEwefy
— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) August 27, 2025
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Why James Justin has hindered hope of Bilal El Khannouss deal
Leicester were under pressure to bring in some cash. But according to reports this week, the sale of James Justin to Leeds and Kasey McAteer to Ipswich means they are no longer under pressure to sell players.
It means Leicester can request a full price and what they believed El Khannouss to be valued at, in the final days of the window. It is claimed that Leicester want as much as £35m to let El Khannouss leave.
If Leeds did pay that fee, it would see them go within an inch of matching their club-record transfer for Georginio Rutter. The Frenchman was bought from Hoffenheim for £35.5m back in January 2023.