With just a few days left in the summer transfer window, it is safe to say that [Newcastle United](https://readnewcastle.com/2026/08/27/asked-information-fabrizio-romano-drops-newcastle-united-transfer-news/) have themselves a lot of work to do. Nico Gonzalez’s addition from Manchester City is a positive step. But at least a few more such moves need to be made between now and the end of deadline day.
It does look like Newcastle United are looking to strengthen their options in midfield and going forward. And could they bring in a new number 10 soon?
That number 10 role has been a problem for Newcastle United for a while. So much so that even Nick Woltemade played there on numerous occasions last season.
Naturally, it would not be a surprise if Matthias Jaissle wants to add a genuine number 10 to his roster. And it looks like they have their eyes set on one from the Bundesliga. Newcastle United are not the only ones in the race though.
According to [Sky Sport](https://sport.sky.de/transfer/news/34132/13577771/vfb-stuttgart-newcastle-everton-und-saudi-klubs-buhlen-um-el-khannouss), Bilal El Khannouss has indicated he is open to a transfer. However, concrete negotiations over a move between VfB Stuttgart and Newcastle United are not underway yet.
Also, Everton and two Saudi Arabian clubs are also interested in signing El Khannouss. But none of the potential deals are advanced yet.
Obviously, Newcastle United have experience of dealing with VfB Stuttgart in recent times. They paid a club-record €75 million to sign Woltemade from the German club last summer.
It won’t take that much to sign El Khannouss. It is believed that the Moroccan international could be on the move for a transfer fee between €50 and €60 million.
El Khannouss’ name was first linked to Newcastle United when it became evident that they were having a tough time trying to find an agreement with Lille over a move for Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
They are not exactly the same kind of profile though. Fernandez-Pardo has played equal amounts of football on the wings and as a centre-forward, impressing more in the latter.
On the other hand, El Khannouss is an out-and-out number 10. He scored nine goals and provided seven assists in 42 appearances for VfB Stuttgart last season.
Also, he is no stranger to the Premier League. In fact, he was on the books at Leicester City even at some point this summer before joining VfB Stuttgart permanently following his successful loan spell with the club last season.