Football
Exclusive: Bilal El Khannouss’ Stellar Stuttgart Form Sparks Premier League Interest
Former Premier League clubs are tracking Bilal El Khannouss after his stellar performance for VFB Stuttgart in the Europa League. The 21-year-old Moroccan has attracted interest from Leeds, Spurs, Crystal Palace, and Newcastle United. Stuttgart are likely to make his loan deal permanent, with a €20million price tag.
Celtic FC v VfB Stuttgart - UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg by Paul Devlin - SNS Group | Getty Images
Former Premier League suitors of Bilal El Khannouss have been alerted by the Moroccan’s latest star performance, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
El Khannouss scored twice in VFB Stuttgart’s 4-1 demolition of Scottish champions Celtic in the Europa League play-off at Celtic Park on Thursday night.
That took his goal tally in the competition to five in eight games.
Such has been his form for the Bundesliga outfit since his loan move from Leicester City last September that Stuttgart look certain to make the deal permanent.
They already have an obligation to buy dependant on certain conditions being met.
And while the 21-year-old Belgian born winger/midfielder won’t return to the Championship side, he may have tough choices to make at the end of the season.
PL Clubs Keen
Leeds United were keen to take him to Elland Road last summer and have tracked his progress since he moved to Germany.
Spurs and Crystal Palace were also keen to sign him before Stuttgart snapped him up from under their noses.
Palace remain keen but both London clubs are currently in a state of flux with one manager-Thomas Frank, gone-and another, Oliver Glasner, going at the end of the season.
A fourth Premier League side, Newcastle United, were the most recent to show interest in the talented African ace and they would consider him a bargain due to his experience with club and country.
El Khannouss cost Leicester, then in the Premier League, £21million when they signed him from Belgian side Genk in 2024. He had previously played for Anderlecht.
He has been a regular for Morocco and played throughout the recent Africa Cup of Nations, including the final. He played 80 minutes of the controversial showdown against Senegal.
Stuttgart are obligated to pay €20million for El Khannouss’ services but his value to Leicester has risen because of his excellent season.
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