Newcastle United are quietly positioning themselves for another ambitious move in the transfer market, this time turning their attention to Leicester City winger Bilal El Khannouss.
The 21-year-old Morocco international has emerged as one of the most exciting young attacking talents in Europe, and his performances on loan at VfB Stuttgart have not gone unnoticed on Tyneside.
According to Sky Sports Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Newcastle have been monitoring him closely for months, impressed by both his immediate impact in the Bundesliga and his long-term potential.
El Khannouss’ return of five goals and six assists this season has quickly made him a standout figure in Germany. His confidence, vision and technical ability have earned him praise from coaches, fans and even some of the biggest names in world football.
Genk manager Thorsten Fink, who oversaw part of the youngster’s development, described him as a “very special” talent, someone who has a rare understanding of the game at a young age.
Even Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola sought him out after facing him last season, walking straight over at full-time to tell him how impressed he was with his performance. For a player still in the early stages of his career, such recognition speaks volumes.
For Newcastle, the appeal is obvious. After being relegated with Leicester last season, El Khannouss is eager to establish himself in the Premier League and prove he belongs at the highest level.
His hunger, versatility and creativity fit perfectly with Eddie Howe’s vision for a more dynamic and unpredictable attack. He is comfortable operating out wide or drifting inside to link play, an ability Newcastle have been searching for as they look to evolve beyond their current options.
However, the Magpies are not alone in their pursuit. Crystal Palace have maintained strong interest in El Khannouss and targeted him as a long-term replacement for Eberechi Eze.
Their admiration hasn’t faded, and they could become major competition once the summer window opens. Leicester are reportedly willing to sell for around £22 million at the end of the season, but that price is almost certain to rise if he continues his impressive form especially with a World Cup on the horizon.
El Khannouss is expected to feature for Morocco at next summer’s tournament, having already made his international debut in the third-place play-off against Croatia at the 2022 World Cup.
A strong showing on the global stage would attract even more suitors, making the race for his signature significantly more complicated. Stuttgart may also play a role in delaying any immediate move, as the winger has made it clear he has no desire to leave Germany midway through the season.
For Newcastle, timing will be everything. They could try to move early in the winter window, but the player himself is focused on completing his loan in the Bundesliga. That means a summer transfer is the most realistic outcome but only if Newcastle put themselves in the right position.
To convince El Khannouss to join their project, securing Champions League football once again could be essential. The club have just found stability after going three Premier League matches unbeaten, and they know consistency will be crucial for the remainder of the season.
If Newcastle can maintain that momentum and offer El Khannouss a platform to grow at the highest level, they stand a real chance of winning the race for one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers.
For now, they remain patient observers but the admiration is strong, the interest is genuine, and the next few months could determine whether the rising Moroccan star ends up at St James’ Park.
