Newcastle United keeping close eye on Leicester City winger Bilal El Khannouss | OneFootball

Newcastle United are keeping a close eye on Leicester City attacker Bilal El Khannouss, according to Sky Sports Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

The Newcastle project appeals to the Morocco international, but suitors could stand in the way when the St James’ Park club and Magpies manager Eddie Howe come calling in the summer.

El Khannouss is currently on loan in the Bundesliga with VfB Stuttgart, and the Toons have been impressed after his return of five goals and six assists so far this term.

Genk manager Thorsten Fink believes the Newcastle target is ‘very special’, and the 21-year-old left Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola blown away after a game last season.

The Spaniard made a beeline for El Khannouss as soon as the full-time whistle blew, telling him he was impressed with his play.

Newcastle could do with such a player who is desperate to prove himself in the Premier League after getting relegated with the Foxes last term.

However, Crystal Palace remain interested in recruiting his services having targeted him to replace Eberechi Eze in the summer.

Leicester are ready to sell him for £22 million at the end of the season, but his value could skyrocket in the coming months.

El Khannouss is looking forward to the World Cup next summer after making his debut for Morocco in the 2022 World Cup third-place play-off against Croatia.

He will have more suitors should he impress at the tournament, and while the Magpies could move earlier by going for him during the winter transfer window, the winger has no plans to leave Stuttgart midway through the season.

Newcastle may need to secure Champions League football to have a chance of luring El Khannouss to Tyneside next summer, and they need to maintain their consistency having finally gone three league games without defeat recently.