Leicester City’s plan for Bilal El Khannouss revealed amid Sunderland interest as ‘sticking point’ emerges

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Leicester City playmaker Bilal El Khannouss has been the subject of transfer interest from Arsenal, Sunderland, and Bayer Leverkusen so far in the transfer window.

Leicester City have endured a testing summer since their relegation from the Premier League back down to the Championship.

After several weeks of speculation, Ruud van Nistelrooy left Leicester, and former QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes has since been appointed by the Foxes in his place.

Cifuentes was unveiled by Leicester earlier this week, and now the Spaniard’s immediate attention will turn to the summer transfer window to mold the Foxes squad he inherited to his liking.

Unfortunately for Cifuentes, it appears increasingly likely that his maiden campaign in charge will be without playmaker Bilal El Khannouss.

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Leicester City’s plan for Bilal El Khannouss revealed amid Sunderland interest

Arsenal made an offer for El Khannouss earlier in the summer, and months later, it was revealed that German giants Bayer Leverkusen were tracking El Khannouss, hoping to capitalise on Leicester’s demotion to the Championship.

Fears over the Moroccan international’s potential departure intensified after El Khannouss’ cryptic social media post appeared in the immediate wake of van Nistelrooy’s departure.

Despite the optimism with Cifuentes’ arrival, this excitement has been marred by the midfielder’s seemingly imminent departure, which would be a big blow for Leicester’s promotion hopes after his impressive return last season.

Sunderland are linked with El Khannouss following their promotion back to the Premier League, and now Leicester’s plans for the Moroccan’s footballing future have been revealed, with a surprising potential option for a loan with obligation-to-buy deal mooted.

Journalist Tom Collomosse said via the Daily Mail: “The fee is the sticking point, however: Leicester paid about £20m for the 21-year-old and would want a substantial return on their investment if he is to be sold.

“No club has proposed anything close to the Foxes’ valuation.

“One option to be considered is a year’s loan with an obligation to buy. El Khannouss signed a four-year deal, meaning his ‘book value’ is now about £15m.

“If he played well on loan in the Premier League for a season, his price would increase greatly in 12 months’ time, and a reduced book value would generate higher profit.”

Despite the interest from an array of top flight outfits in the Moroccan, Leicester must stand firm if they are to have the best chance of automatic promotion during the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

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Leicester City must keep Bilal El Khannouss to help Marti Cifuentes achieve promotion

EFL Analysis reported earlier in the window that El Khannouss would decide his Leicester future after van Nistelrooy’s successor was appointed.

Our Chief Football correspondent, Graeme Bailey, previously revealed: “For El Khannouss, I think it’ll totally depend on the interest that comes in for him, and it’ll depend on the new manager for him as well. There’s a lot of interest.”

Therefore, it is understood that the creative midfielder does not wish to play another season in the Championship regardless of Cifuentes’ appointment.

El Khannouss showed flashes of technical brilliance last season in the Premier League for Leicester, with his stunning winner in a 2-1 comeback victory at Spurs a perfect illustration of his abilities.

With Leicester braced for a nine-point deduction heading into next season, the Foxes will need all the help they can get.

As such, Leicester and Cifuentes will be desperate to keep the former Genk starlet for the upcoming second tier season, as his attacking prowess could certainly inspire an automatic promotion push for the Foxes.