Leicester City could take advantage of Newcastle United transfer despair | OneFootball

The Magpies are reportedly interested in one of the Foxes' biggest stars, and that could see Leicester devise a cunning transfer plan.

Newcastle United are reportedly about to get serious regarding their interest in Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss, and the Foxes could use the Magpies' situation to their advantage.

Leicester marked the beginning of the Marti Cifuentes era with a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

The Foxes were made to work hard for the three points though, as it was the Owls who took the lead through Nathaniel Chalobah on 26 minutes, before second-half goals from Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes completed the comeback.

Bilal El Khannouss played a hand in both of those strikes, as it was the Moroccan's clever free-kick that found its way to Vestergaard, before swinging in the corner that enabled Faes to head home the winner.

Newcastle United readying Bilal El Khannouss move

However, there's a distinct possibility that these contributions may have been among his last in a Leicester City shirt.

That's because Telegraph reporter John Percy revealed on Monday that Newcastle United hold a very keen interest in signing El Khannouss, with the Magpies looking into a possible deal.

Premier League interest was always expected to arrive in the 21-year-old this summer following Leicester's relegation from the top-flight, as he was one of the few Foxes players who could hold their head high given his impressive performances in spite of a dismal campaign.

Despite his youth, the attacking midfielder has already racked up well over 100 appearances in senior football across his time in Belgium with Genk and in the East Midlands, and looks to have all the ability and potential to develop into a top-class player over the coming years.

Naturally then, Leicester will no doubt want to retain his services moving forward, but with the club in choppy waters financially and with a potential points deduction looming, the reality is that this might be an impossible task.

Leicester could take advantage of Newcastle United transfer misery - if they play their cards right

That doesn't mean they should simply give away their Moroccan magician this summer, and given the current mood of Magpies fans regarding their club's transfer business, the Foxes could do the exact opposite.

Indeed, there is a real sense of frustration on Tyneside with the way United's summer transfer window has gone so far, with just Aaron Ramsdale and Anthony Elanga through the door so far.

AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw looks set to provide an injection of enthusiasm in that regard as he closes in on a move to St. James' Park, but even should his move go through, Eddie Howe will be under no illusion that he needs to make further additions before the 1 September deadline.

With Alexander Isak's well-documented situation still simmering away too, should more fresh blood fail to arrive, then club hierarchy will know fan backlash over their summer window will reach boiling point.

Therefore, Leicester City could use this to their advantage when it comes to doing business with the Tynesiders over El Khannouss.

Whilst the City star does have a release clause, it's reported that this will expire at the end of this week - with the specific date understood to be 15 August.

So, should Leicester be able to navigate these next few days without that clause being triggered, then they will find themselves in a position whereby they can demand whatever fee they like.

Harnessing the well-known fan frustration regarding transfers and the subsequent pressure on the club to get deals done, Leicester, if they play their cards right, could shrewdly drive up the price for El Khannouss even more.

Magpies supporters will not be keen to see their team go through another Benjamin Sesko saga this summer, and so should they indeed firm up their interest after the release clause has expired, then there will be big pressure on the club to get the deal over the line.

As a Championship club and one that is trying to navigate through stormy financial waters, Leicester City should absolutely be playing every possible card in their hand in an attempt to get the best possible deals for their players, and with a bit of luck and clever negotiation tactics, they could bank an even bigger payday on El Khannouss this summer.