Marti Cifuentes facing double Leicester City exit threat - club discuss launching Foxes raid | OneFootball

According to reports, Leicester City duo Bilal El Khannouss and Wilfred Ndidi are both being eyed by Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli

Marti Cifuentes is facing an early double exit threat as he prepares for the upcoming 2025/26 Championship campaign at Leicester City, with Foxes pair Bilal El Khannouss and Wilfred Ndidi both reportedly being discussed as potential targets at Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli.

As reported on Monday evening via X by Ben Jacobs of GIVEMESPORT, the Leicester duo are being "discussed internally" ahead of a potential double raid on the King Power Stadium by the ambitious Saudi side, who have made a series of punchy plays in the transfer market in recent times.

Should any potential move to Al-Ahli materialise, the pair would link up with Foxes legend Riyad Mahrez alongside the likes of Ivan Toney and ex-Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin.

It has been an extremely quiet summer transfer window to date for Leicester, who are yet to complete a single signing while keeping exits to a minimum with just over a month to go until September 1's deadline. Of course, the focus has been on matters away from the pitch, with Leicester likely to be struck with a points deduction by the EFL after the Premier League charged the Foxes with breaching Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules.

But, with Cifuentes now in situ following the long-drawn-out departure of ex-boss Ruud Van Nistelrooy, the Foxes will be bidding to prepare in earnest for life back in the Championship, which will begin for City next Sunday at home to Sheffield Wednesday, by retaining as many prized assets as possible while, where fit, bolstering the squad at the disposal of the freshly-appointed Spaniard.

Al-Ahli discussing potential double Leicester City transfer raid as Bilal El Khannous, Wilfred Ndidi eyed

As per Jacobs' aforementioned update, El Khannouss and Ndidi are just two players to have been discussed by Al-Ahli ahead of yet another summer spending spree, in which Matthias Jaissle's side are set to prioritise "six to eight new players" with a particular emphasis on strengthening the midfield area.

According to Jacobs, Tottenham Hotspur Yves Bissouma has been a discussion point, too, while an ambitious enquiry was also launched, without success, for Nottingham Forest sensation Morgan Gibbs-White.

El Khannouss' future in the East Midlands has been the subject of intensifying speculation ever since it emerged that the Moroccan playmaker's contract includes a £22.5 million release clause, which a number of clubs are reportedly eager to activate.

Leicester are yet to receive a formal offer for El Khannouss, who has been linked to the likes of Bayer Leverkusen, Crystal Palace, RB Leipzig, Sunderland and Wolves. His exit does appear somewhat inevitable, though, with the 21-year-old having made an impression in the Premier League last season following his £20 million arrival from Belgian side Genk.

Ndidi, meanwhile, is likely to seal an exit from Leicester this summer, too. Akin to El Khannouss, he also has a relegation release clause, albeit at a much lower cost of just £9 million, and seemingly has no shortage of suitors either, amid reported interest from Everton and Manchester United in recent times.

The Nigerian midfielder has been with Leicester since January 2017, making over 300 appearances. He stuck around in the second-tier for the 2023/24 campaign as the Foxes sealed promotion at the first attempt as champions, but now looks unlikely to be staying put once again.

Al-Ahli may not be the best option for Leicester City's exit-bound Bilal El Khannouss

Al-Ahli's reported interest in El Khannouss is particularly interesting, as the talented attacking midfielder does not fit the age profile of big-name players to have sealed lavish transfers to the top-flight of Saudi Arabian football over the last couple of years.

There have been a few exceptions to the rule, of course, such as Jhon Duran and Spanish midfielder Gabriel Veiga - who actually signed for Al-Ahli from Celta Vigo at the age of 21 back in August 2023 before returning to Europe with FC Porto this summer - but, for the large part, the high-profile names snapped up by Saudi sides have predominantly been older players, many of whom had already passed their prime.

The financial benefits of a move are in little doubt and would offer ample justification if El Khannouss was to sign a contract with Al-Ahli, make no mistake about that.

But, as far as his career progression is concerned, having already showcased himself as a player more than capable of competing at Premier League level despite turning out for a struggling side, it may not be the best option on the table as he could play in a top-five league, with certain potential moves also offering the temptation of European football.