Wolves eyeing £22m Leicester City transfer - Arsenal have been linked before | OneFootball

Bilal El Khannouss is on the radar of numerous Premier League sides ahead of a likely Foxes exit

Premier League outfit Wolves are lining up a move for Leicester City playmaker Bilal El Khannouss as a replacement for the outgoing Matheus Cunha ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, according to a new report.

TheFoxes' immediate relegation back to the Championship was confirmed last month with five league games to spare, and a summer of change beckons for the East Midlands outfit with Ruud van Nistelrooy's future at the helm looking uncertain. Numerous incomings and outgoings are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks and months, following legendary striker Jamie Vardy's departure, and Moroccan international El Khannouss, who has impressed despite their poor form, could be set to extend his own stay in the top-flight.

Wolves plot Bilal El Khannouss move amid Matheus Cunha, Manchester United links

Belgian-born El Khannouss began his professional career in his home country with Pro League side Genk, after progressing through their youth ranks following a 2019 move from Anderlecht.

His standout form in 2023/24 saw Leicester fork out a reported £21 million fee for his services last August ahead of their return to the Premier League, signing him on a four-year deal, and he was a rare positive in what turned out to be a dismal campaign for the Foxes.

The attacking midfielder notched three goals and five assists in 36 games in all competitions throughout the season, and his strong performances have seemingly alerted Wolves to his potential availability this summer.

GIVEMESPORT have claimed that the Molineux outfit want to sign El Khannouss as a direct replacement for the mercurial Cunha, who is set to join Man United in a deal worth up to £62.5m this week.

They state that the 21-year-old Moroccan has caught the eye of influential figures behind the scenes at Wolves in his single season at Leicester, and the club is very keen on wrapping up a deal to sign him soon.

Previous reports have stated that the Foxes are set to demand a release clause fee of £22m for his services this summer, due to his clear ability and the three years left on his contract, but Wolves should have no trouble meeting that figure as soon as Cunha's outgoing deal is confirmed.

El Khannouss will be a big loss for Leicester - Wolves are set to face competition for his services from Arsenal

El Khannouss has been one of the Foxes' best performers over the last nine months. He was a shining light throughout their troublesome return to the Premier League, despite his lack of experience in English football, or in any top European league, prior to his move.

His crowning moment in blue and white came at Tottenham Hotspur in January, as he wrapped up a rare away win for Ruud van Nistelrooy's side with a sumptuous finish from 25 yards out to complete a 2-1 comeback in North London.

His standout performances and potential to improve even further at just 21-years-old has likely left many Foxes supporters feeling like his exit this summer is a foregone conclusion following their relegation, and the current interest in his services suggests that may well be the case.

Wolves, though, are not the only Premier League team that has been keeping tabs on El Khannouss at Leicester. GIVEMESPORT reported earlier this month that Arsenal, who recently sealed a second-placed finish for the third season in a row, were plotting a move for him after Mikel Arteta gave the go-ahead to advance on a move.

Nothing yet seems to have come of the Gunners' interest, but the summer window is yet to open, so the Moroccan's transfer situation is bound to heat up soon enough with numerous clubs interested.

He will undoubtedly be a big loss to the Foxes if he does depart, but many connected with the club will likely already be resigned to him leaving this summer, and so will simply hope that they are able to make a profit if he is sold.