Leeds United is actively pursuing Bilal El Khannouss, a dynamic attacking midfielder whose profile aligns perfectly with the club’s ambition to secure “difference-making quality” in their crucial final transfer window signings. The club’s strategic search for talent reflects a clear intent to fortify the squad and ensure competitiveness as they navigate future challenges, making this a pivotal moment in their football transfers strategy.
Still remarkably young at just 21, the Belgium-born Morocco international has predominantly honed his skills in a central attacking role. However, his versatility has also seen him deployed effectively on the left flank, underscoring his adaptability and potential to contribute across multiple positions within a flexible tactical setup for Leeds United.
El Khannouss embarked on his professional journey with Belgian side Genk in 2019, quickly establishing himself as a key player. During his tenure, he amassed nearly 100 appearances, contributing four goals and an impressive 14 assists, showcasing his creative prowess before securing a significant £21 million move to Leicester City in August of last year.
His transition to English football proved challenging as Leicester City endured a difficult season, ultimately resulting in their relegation from the Premier League to the EFL Championship. While his goal threat diminished in a struggling Foxes side, El Khannouss maintained his reputation for exceptional passing ability and progressive ball carrying, creating more big chances than any other Leicester player, a testament to his underlying quality even amidst adversity.
Furthermore, his statistics from the previous season highlight his robust defensive contributions; he was second only to Stephy Mavididi in successful dribbles per 90 minutes and, as evidenced during his time at Genk, demonstrated a strong appetite for pressing and winning the ball back when out of possession, making him a well-rounded midfielder.
This pursuit of a quality number 10 addresses a long-standing need for Leeds, who were unable to secure such a player in the previous summer window. Despite operating largely in a 4-3-3 formation during pre-season, manager Daniel Farke prioritizes tactical flexibility for the top flight, potentially re-implementing the successful 4-2-3-1 formation that was instrumental in their Championship title campaign, underscoring the strategic importance of signing a player like Bilal El Khannouss.
The Whites recently faced a setback in their transfer aspirations, losing out on ‘stretch target’ Igor Paixão, a Brazilian winger who ultimately chose a move to Ligue 1 side Marseille for Champions League football. Despite Leeds being prepared to offer a substantial €35 million deal that Feyenoord had agreed to, the player’s camp opted for the French outfit’s terms, highlighting the competitive nature of the current transfer market.
Club sources have indicated that there is no immediate rush to jump into another deal, emphasizing a patient and discerning approach. Any new acquisition must possess sufficient quality to significantly elevate the squad, capable of relegating Daniel Farke’s existing options to the bench and ensuring that every incoming player truly enhances the team’s overall strength and depth, particularly as the Premier League Relegation battle looms for other teams, signifying the importance of strong recruitment.
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