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 Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

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

Genk manager Thorsten Fink believes the Newcastle target is ‘very special’. Manchester boss Pep Guardiola waxed lyrical about him last season.

Crystal Palace remain interested in securing 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 if he impresses at the tournament. The Magpies could move earlier by going for him during the winter transfer window, but he 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.

They need to maintain their consistency, having finally gone three league games without defeat recently.