‘Leeds hold clear advantage over Newcastle amid Bilal El Khannouss latest’
Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss has attracted transfer interest from Premier League duo Newcastle United and Leeds United.
Daniel Farke is readying his Whites squad to survive in the top flight, whereas Eddie Howe is attempting to build a team that can compete in the Champions League.
Amid their survival bid, Leeds signed midfielder Sean Longstaff from Newcastle, but the West Yorkshire outfit have not stopped there.
The Elland Road club have also acquired players like former Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri, ex-Hoffenheim star Anton Stach, and defender Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Leeds can offer El Khannouss more game time than Newcastle
El Khanouss’ potential arrival could see fellow attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson leave Leeds as Farke looks to freshen is starting 11.
However, reporting via X on Monday, 11 August, The Telegraph’s John Percy wrote: “Newcastle have a strong interest in LCFC attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss and are looking at a possible deal.
“El Khannouss has a release clause and is also attracting interest from other PL clubs, including Leeds, in this window.”
Farke’s side should not be worried by Newcastle’s rival interest in the Leicester star, as they can offer him game time.
The 21-year-old can operate effectively as both a ‘number 10’ and a left winger, but Howe’s system does not allow for his primary position.
Furthermore, El Khannouss would struggle to oust either Harvey Barnes or Anthony Gordon from the left-wing spot in the North East.
Contrastingly, the Morocco international could play in his natural playmaker position at Elland Road, as well as rivalling Wilfried Gnonto for a starting place on the wing.
El Khannouss provides further evidence he is up for Premier League challenge
Leeds should not be concerned by the fact that EL Khannouss notched just two goals and three assists in 32 Premier League appearances last season.
| Bilal El Khannouss stats | All competitions 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 36 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 5 |
The 21-year-old was one of the better players in an otherwise struggling Foxes side, and could have provided more goal contributions if he were playing for a more functional side.
Meanwhile, Farke’s transfer business so far has shown that Leeds should perform significantly better in the Premier League this season than Leicester did last term.
Furthermore, El Khannouss showed his class by producing two assists when Leicester beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in their opening game of the Championship season on Sunday, 10 August.
The opportunity to link up with established Leeds stars like Dan James, as well as summer signings such as Stach, should help the former Genk man perform in the Premier League.
Elsewhere, MOT Leeds News have exclusively revealed that the Whites are making significant strides towards signing El Khannouss.