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Bayer Leverkusen are tracking the Leicester City star amid the summer transfer window, which would be another blow to the Foxes’ 2025/26 Championship prospects.
Leicester City suffered relegation from the Premier League last season, and uncertainty is shrouding the King Power Stadium so far this summer.
In the dugout, Ruud Van Nistelrooy oversaw the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship, and it is expected that he will be sacked shortly, with Leicester eyeing Sean Dyche as his replacement.
So far in the summer transfer window, the main business at Leicester has centred around the departure of Foxes legend Jamie Vardy, and recently, with Conor Coady’s imminent Rangers transfer.
Now, Leicester could be poised for another high-profile departure, with Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen “keeping close” tabs on a certain Foxes star.
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Bayer Leverkusen target Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss
Bilal El Khannouss’ season was one of the only shining lights in Leicester’s ill-fated relegation to the Championship.
The inventive Moroccan international arrived from Genk for a fee reported to be in the region of £21m, seeing the former Belgian Pro League Young Player of the 2023/24 season pen a four-year deal at the King Power Stadium.
El Khannouss scored two goals and notched three assists in 32 top flight appearances for the Foxes, but could not help the club achieve Premier League survival.
| Statistic | Bilal El Khannouss in 24/25 |
| Games played | 36 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 5 |
Following the Foxes’ relegation, Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly “keeping a close watch on” El Khannouss this summer and could firm up their interest with a bid.
Belgian football journalist Sacha Tavolieri said on X: “Bayer Leverkusen eyeing Bilal El Khannouss, he German club has recently inquired about his personal terms.”
EFL Analysis understands how Leicester feel about El Khannouss, via our Chief Football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that “It’ll totally depend on the interest comes in for him, and it’ll depend on the new manager… it is not a given that Khannouss leaves.”
Leicester boss Van Nistelrooy was impressed by the 21-year-old throughout the campaign, whose form improved since the Dutchman’s arrival, with all of his goal contributions coming since Van Nistelrooy’s arrival.
Van Nistelrooy told Leicester’s website: “He’s playing and starting every game and an important player for us with his creativity and his work rate off the ball.
“The challenge for him is, at his young age, pushing himself to finally know where his ceiling is. His potential is there to be a top player in Europe in the Champions League, I think that’s where his potential is.
“But as I said, it’s important for him to work how he is on a daily basis and that he is consistent in that, because he can go a long way.”
However, if Leicester are to have the best chance at earning automatic promotion back to the Premier League, their next order of business regarding El Khannouss is clear.
Leicester City must keep Bilal El Khannouss ahead of 2025/26 Championship
Leicester are no strangers to interest in the attacking midfielder this summer, with El Khannouss admired by Arsenal as well as now Bayer Leverkusen.
Foxes fans saw moments of brilliance from the Moroccan Olympic bronze medal winner last season, but they were too few and far between amid their struggles for top flight survival.
Leicester remain in a healthy position with El Khannouss’ current contract, which does not expire until the summer of 2028.
If El Khannouss stays at the King Power Stadium, he will have the opportunity to continue his development with guaranteed gametime, which we have seen has been pivotal for the progression of rising talents.
The top priority in Leicester’s dream transfer window is for El Khannouss to stay amid the growing interest in his services, and it’s clear why, as the inventive Moroccan could fire the Foxes back to the big time next term.