Leicester City receive blockbuster Bilal El Khannouss transfer bid from German club | OneFootball

Leicester City signed the 21-year-old last summer

Leicester City have received a bid of £26 million for Bilal El Khannouss from German side Stuttgart.

The Foxes have picked up nine points from their first four Championship games, with a defeat away at Preston North End the only negative thus far.

This summer has been filled with constant rumours about moves away for a number of Marti Cifuentes’ players and there could still be more activity in the final days of the window.

Stuttgart submit £26 million Bilal El Khannouss offer

El Khannouss has been the subject of much transfer speculation throughout the summer window, with parties such as Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace all noted pursuers, and it seemed almost a given that he would exit the King Power Stadium.

However, as deadline day approaches, the 21-year-old is still contracted to Leicester City and there was a real possibility that he could remain with the Foxes throughout this season.

There could still be a late twist in the saga though, as according to journalist Pete O'Rourke via X, Stuttgart have submitted a £26million bid to sign El Khannouss.

It was recently reported by Football Insider that Leeds United were planning to launch a late move for the Foxes’ talent during the closing days of the transfer window, but nothing has materialised thus far.

The report stated that a “big transfer fee” will be needed to convince Cifuentes and co to cash in, which Leicester may now have received from Stuttgart.

El Khannouss has a contract at the King Power Stadium until the summer of 2028 after joining from Genk last year for a reported £21 million.

The young talent featured 32 times in the Premier League last term, contributing two goals and three assists. This couldn’t prevent Leicester’s relegation but impressed a whole host of teams in the English top-flight and around Europe.

Leicester City may be forced into Bilal El Khannouss sale before tomorrow's deadline

The Foxes have managed to resist selling the 21-year-old this summer but may be forced into letting their asset go in the final days of the window.

El Khannouss hasn’t been in the Leicester City matchday squad since the second game of the season, and if he isn’t allowed to move on, it could create an unsavoury situation at the King Power Stadium.

Therefore, Cifuentes and the hierarchy at the Foxes might have no choice but to cash in on the attacking midfielder.

Letting El Khannouss’ saga drag on this far into the window could be costly for the Foxes, as they have little time to reinvest the money from his sale, which could come back to bite them after 46 games.