Leeds United Transfer News: Farke 'Very Keen' On £34m Former Leicester Star

· GiveMeSport

Leeds United are interested in signing former Leicester City midfielder Bilal El Khannouss during the January transfer window

Leeds United are eyeing up an ambitious move to sign Stuttgart midfielder Bilal El Khannouss in the January transfer window. The Morocco international, 22, has been a long-term target for Daniel Farke’s side, who have been keeping a close eye on his performances since his time at Leicester City.

El Khannouss made the £21million move to the Foxes from Genk in 2024 and impressed in the Premier League, though he was unable to stop them from finishing 18th and suffering relegation. The Belgium-born ace made two appearances in the Championship the following season, before joining Bundesliga side Stuttgart on loan with an obligation-to-buy.

He scored nine goals and provided seven assists in 41 matches for Stuttgart last season, helping them secure Champions League qualification and have a run to the Round of 16 in the Europa League. Due to that, El Khannouss’ move to Stuttgart was made permanent in the summer, but there has been talk that he could leave the club as soon as January, after struggling to make an impact so far this term.

Despite first missing out on El Khannouss in 2025, Leeds remain ‘very keen’ on sealing a move for the ex-Anderlecht trainee and have been keeping tabs on his availability, according to Football Insider. It’s believed that Stuttgart are willing to listen to offers in the region of £34million, which is a decrease from their high summer demands.

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown spoke about Leeds’ interest in El Khannouss back in August and said the Whites were considering reigniting their interest. As Farke is keen to add more creativity to his squad in January, there is a feeling Leeds could make a bid, despite doubts that Stuttgart might not even sell him.

Leeds are not the only club interested in El Khannouss' services and his potential availability in January is set to place a number of suitors on high alert. Before his move to Leicester, Tottenham and Crystal Palace were interested in the attacking midfielder. Newcastle and Leeds were both keen on El Khannouss back in 2025, and the Magpies came back in before the end of the recent summer transfer window. But Stuttgart kept hold, and he has since been a key part of their squad in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

Back in September, Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness hailed El Khannouss after scoring a “world-class” goal in his team’s 4-1 win against Koln.

> “He played a great game, there is no discussion about that. He played a decisive role in turning the game in our favour,” Hoeness said.

> “The goal was world-class. Not many players score goals like that,” he added.

El Khannouss would add an extra ounce of creative spark to a Leeds front line that have struggled in the final third this season. Indeed, the Whites have scored just 10 goals in 10 matches, the lowest number out of any team in the top half.

The Leeds duo impressed despite suffering a defeat

Read the original

People in this story

Related