West Ham get green light to sign Bilal El Khannouss after Newcastle update
West Ham are showing strong interest in Leicester City midfielder Bilal El Khannouss this summer.
The Hammers are keen to sign a midfielder in the coming days and have already bid for Mateus Fernandes, but Southampton are reportedly holding out for £43million.
Another option is that of Facundo Buonanotte, with Brighton ready to sanction another loan for the Argentine star.
Graham Potter is hoping to replace Mohammed Kudus, who left after a £55m deal was agreed with Tottenham last month.
West Ham have made an approach for El Khannouss already, and have just received a boost.
Newcastle United drop out of Bilal El Khannouss race
Several Premier League clubs are showing interest in El Khannouss this summer, with Leeds United and Newcastle among them.
The midfielder was one of the very few bright spots last season for Leicester, and started the Championship season well.
The Foxes’ opening game saw them beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1, with the 21-year-old providing the assists for both goals, before almost scoring one of his own.
- Leicester City signed El Khannouss from Genk last summer in a deal worth around £21m.
Newcastle were expected to be West Ham’s biggest rivals in a move for El Khannouss, but the Magpies have now switched their attentions.
Decision-makers at St James’ Park are now in advanced negotiations to sign West Ham-linked midfielder Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa, with a deal worth around £40m in the final stages.
And according to Craig Hope on 13 August, the England youth international’s signing will bring an end to Newcastle’s pursuit of El Khannouss.
That would leave West Ham with an opportunity to swoop in, with the Hammers likely able to offer a more attractive proposition than Premier League promotees Leeds.
El Khannouss would be a superb signing for West Ham
Despite Leicester’s poor season, El Khannouss emerged with impressive underlying stats.
The midfielder is an excellent presser of the ball, and is not afraid to carry the ball forward and take on his man – something West Ham would benefit massively from in the absence of Kudus.
| El Khannouss | Premier League 2024/25 (per 90) |
| Tackles | 2.06 |
| Carries | 30.19 |
| Take-ons | 2.47 |
| Passes into final third | 3.67 |
The former Genk talent’s age should also be taken into consideration.
A fee of just over £20m would leave West Ham with a player more than capable of contributing this season, and who could well develop into a hugely sellable asset in the coming years.
Sign up for the West Ham Zone WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking West Ham United news sent straight to your phone.