Newcastle United have seen several top transfer targets escape their grasp this summer, but are now determined to gazump Leeds United for Bilal El Khannouss
Bilal El Khannouss is a target for Newcastle this summer (Image: Getty)
Newcastle United are looking to steal a march on Leeds United by signing Leicester City midfielder Bilal El Khannouss. Reports suggest that the Magpies intend to meet El Khannouss’s release clause, thought to be in the region of £24.5 million. Newcastle have endured a tricky summer on the transfer front, with star striker Alexander Isak angling for a move to Liverpool. The club has also missed out on a series of high-profile targets to their Premier League rivals.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe is now looking to reverse his fortunes and inflict the damage that’s been done to his side this summer, on Leeds, as he hopes to bring the Morocco international to St James’ Park. The Foxes signed El Khannouss for around £19.5m from Belgian outfit Genk last summer, but he could now be on the move due to a contract clause that can be activated following Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League last season, as per The Telegraph.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke had expressed an interest in the attacking midfielder, but with his clause set to expire this week, the Magpies are now quickly advancing their efforts to secure El Khannouss’s signing over The Whites.
El Khannouss played the full 90 minutes of Leicester’s victory over Sheffield United on the opening weekend of the Championship season. The 21-year-old provided both assists for the goals scored by Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes in the 2-1 win.
Howe is desperately searching for attacking reinforcements this summer, and El Khannouss, who impressed for Leicester last year in an otherwise disappointing campaign, could represent a shrewd move.
Newcastle have missed out on several targets this summer already. Hugo Ekitike, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko were all courted by the North East club, only for Ekitike to join Liverpool while Mbeumo, Cunha and Sesko all elected for Old Trafford.
Alexander Isak wants to join Liverpool (Image: Getty)
Newcastle’s accelerated interest in El Khannouss comes as Isak, 25, informed the club that he doesn’t wish to play for them again. The Swede’s bombshell arrives amidst heavy interest from Liverpool, with the Reds already having had a £110million bid turned down for the star.
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