Worrying Bilal El Khannouss verdict issued as £32m Crystal Palace move looms amid Tyler Dibling twist

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Crystal Palace are closing in on signing Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss, but the Premier League side are still exploring a move for Tyler Dibling.

Following relegation from the Premier League last season, both Leicester City and Southampton have had to endure transfer vultures circling throughout the summer window.

For the Foxes, Mads Hermansen joined West Ham in an £18m deal, and Leicester are poised to see another prized asset depart as Bilal El Khannouss nears a move to Crystal Palace.

Aaron Ramsdale joined Newcastle United on loan from the Saints, and the South Coast outfit look destined to lose English starlet Tyler Dibling.

Palace are close to agreeing a £32m deal with the Foxes for the Moroccan international, but that could hinge on his fellow in-demand second tier star Dibling.

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Crystal Palace close to £32m deal for Bilal El Khannouss with Leicester City

Reports emerged recently that El Khannouss wants to join Crystal Palace this summer to make an instant return to the Premier League.

Sunderland were linked with El Khannouss this summer, but their transfer attention at the King Power has turned to a £28m bid for Abdul Fatawu.

Sky Sports News report that Palace are close to agreeing a £32m deal with Leicester for El Khannouss, with a “broad agreement” over payment structure in place as Eagles ace Eberechi Eze nears a move to Tottenham.

However, Palace are yet to pull the trigger on the transfer as the London outfit are still exploring a move for Saints starlet Dibling.

Crystal Palace placed Dibling on their shortlist of summer transfer targets given their long-standing interest, but he would be a more expensive option for the Eagles with Southampton valuing Dibling at over £45m.

Progress on El Khannouss’ move to Palace has been halted as the Eagles consider their options, and they could capitalise on Everton’s failure to meet Southampton’s Dibling demands.

Both El Khannouss and Dibling impressed in the top flight last term despite suffering relegation, but one Sky Sports pundit has issued fears regarding the Leicester playmaker’s ability to fill Eze’s boots at Palace.

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Sky Sports pundit’s worrying Bilal El Khannouss to Crystal Palace verdict

El Khannouss was withdrawn at half-time in Leicester’s defeat to Preston North End at the weekend, with his side 1-0 down at the interval before going on to lose 2-1.

Still has reintegrated Dibling at Southampton and brought the winger on as a late substitute in the draw at Ipswich Town for his first minutes of the Saints’ season.

Amid the ongoing transfer saga, former Southampton star Charlie Austin worries whether El Khannouss will be up to scratch at Selhurst Park.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Austin said: “It’s not a replacement (for Eze), it’s someone that can come in and be a part of the replacement strategy but it’s going to be a tough one to replace.

“I think if Tyler Dibling comes in, if they take both of them, then they’ve got a chance to replace him.

“But for me, the biggest outcome of it all is why has it stopped now, why are they waiting, they are obviously not sure.

“Yes, they’ve agreed over the payment structure, but Oliver Glasner will know what type of player he wants in.

“He might look at the weekend and after 45 minutes, you look at his (El Khannouss’) body language as well with what’s going, it might not be talked about that he is trying to force a move, but ultimately is he really going to fill them boots and also hit the ground running.

“Eze’s been unbelievable, El Khannouss will have to come in and really fill that void straight off, and I’m not sure he’s the one for that.”