The race to sign Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss may be soon over, with one club now in advanced negotiations to sign the Leeds United target.
Leeds United could be in for a hectic end to the summer transfer window. Despite having signed 10 new players this summer, Daniel Farke may have quickly discovered that there are still a few gaps in his side after what’s been a mixed start to the 2025-26 season.
On the opening round of fixtures, Leeds United beat Everton 1-0 at Elland Road, but that was followed up by a thumping 5-0 defeat against Arsenal before a calamitous defeat versus Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup.
In particular, Farke seems to be lacking quality in attack. Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a nightmare debut for Leeds during the defeat against Wednesday, and now it looks as though Farke may focus his attentions on the final third of the pitch in what’s left of the summer transfer window.
Leicester City Pre-Season Training
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Club in talks to sign Bilal El Khannouss, but it’s not Leeds United
One name mentioned alongside Leeds United is Bilal El Khannouss. The Moroccan international looks set to leave Leicester City before the summer transfer window closes and it looked as though he was set to move to Selhurst Park, but El Khannouss’ move to Crystal Palace collapsed with Leicester City slapping a brand new £35m price tag on his head.
It comes after Leeds United signed James Justin from Leicester City, who in turn no longer need to sell to satisfy PSR. Since then, Spurs have been heavily linked with El Khannouss after missing out on Ebere Eze to Arsenal.
But Soccer 212 claim that West Ham are the team who are in ‘advanced negotiations’ to sign El Khannouss, who they say has a number of European clubs closely following. His situation ahead of deadline day
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Do Leeds United really need Bilal El Khannouss?
Throughout the summer, a new number 10 has looked like a priority for Leeds United, but Ao Tanaka has looked promising so far this season and he could be the player to step up into that role, sharing it with Brenden Aaronson whilst the likes of Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff provide cover in the holding midfield roles.
For Farke, his energy and resources may be better spent on a new striker in the final days of the transfer window. Joel Piroe is unproven in the Premier League whilst Calvert-Lewin seems to remain an unreliable source of goals. Lukas Nmecha meanwhile has looked decent but his injury record is patchy.
Adding another striker with a reliable injury record and a reliable track record of goals may be the best bet for Leeds United who have already spent £100 million on new players this summer, seemingly with a good chunk left to spend after starting the transfer window with a £150 million transfer budget.
A move for El Khannouss would eat up much of what Leeds have left to spend and so missing out on the Moroccan might not be the worst thing for the club.
Leeds United return to action against Newcastle United this weekend.