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Leicester City may still face a fight on their hands to keep Bilal El Khannouss during the final few days of the transfer window.
After Crystal Palace pulled out of a deal to sign El Khannouss due to Leicester demanding more money following the expiration of his release clause, there is an expectation that he will remain at the King Power Stadium.
However, the Morocco international seems keen to force a move away and briefly removed all traces of Leicester from his profile before quickly restoring them.
While the EFL transfer window closes on 1 September, there is still time for other leagues to poach the attacking midfielder away, and EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal that the Foxes have one place in mind if they are to lose the 21-year-old.
- READ MORE: The truth about Leicester City’s talks with the EFL over £61m issue as transfer embargo mooted
Leicester would prefer Bilal El Khannouss to move to Saudi Arabia
The Foxes have been preparing for the possibility of losing El Khannouss already after Leicester looked at Calvin Stengs, but he has since joined Pisa on loan.
It seems that the East Midlands outfit are resigned to losing their star player and EFL Analysis’ chief transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed that Leicester are hoping to fetch as much as £40m from a Saudi Pro League side.
He said: “For Leicester, really, it’s a complicated matter right now, all around El Khannouss. They obviously want more money for him now, and they’re trying to sell him to Saudi after they’ve upped the price which has obviously annoyed Crystal Palace and the player.
“I don’t think the El Khannouss move is dead and buried yet personally. As it stands, they want to send to Saudi because they can get more than £40m. They’re not going to get that in England for him.”
Joao Rego is another option that Leicester have looked at but any move hinges on where El Khannouss ends up.
Marti Cifuentes confirms Bilal El Khannouss is available for Birmingham City clash
Cifuentes dropped El Khannouss for the win against Charlton Athletic to take him away from the transfer limelight, but now feels he is prepared to come back into the fold.
Speaking at his pre-Birmingham City press conference on Thursday, Cifuentes said: ‘He’s available.”
As well as the 21-year-old, the Leicester manager could show bravery by starting Ben Nelson for the first time this season to help combat the pace of the Birmingham attack.