Leicester City: How Ebere Eze could impact Crystal Palace's pursuit of Bilal El Khannouss | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Bilal El Khannouss from Leicester City.

Crystal Palace view Leicester City attacker Bilal El Khannouss as a replacement for Ebere Eze this summer.

Speculation surrounds the future of the Morocco international as we approach the final weeks of the transfer window.

El Khannouss signed for the Foxes last summer, and was a standout performer as the team suffered relegation to the Championship.

The 21-year-old contributed two goals and three assists from 32 appearances in the top flight last year, and could yet make a return to the division before the 1 September deadline.

Crystal Palace’s Bilal El Khannouss transfer stance - Ebere Eze factor revealed

Former scout Mick Brown has claimed that Crystal Palace will make a pursuit for El Khannouss if Eze leaves Selhurst Park this summer.

He also mentioned Leeds United as a possible destination for the playmaker, suggesting that this is a transfer story that could run all the way until the final day of the market.

“He was one of Leicester’s shining lights last season in the Premier League,” he told Football Insider.

“He’s a very smart operator and he’s got potential to move on to a bigger club and become a big player for them in the future.

“He isn’t letting the speculation affect him at the moment. He started for Leicester in their opening game of the season and got a couple of assists as well.

“There’s a lot of competition for El Khannouss. Leeds have been strongly looking at him to see if they can bring him in.

“There has also been talk that Crystal Palace could enter the race for El Khannouss. If Eze was to leave, he would be seen as a replacement for him.

“I think Leicester are open to selling him, and they’ll face a real battle to convince the player to stay in the Championship if he does have Premier League offers.

“He’s going to be one to keep an eye on before the end of the window because I think there are going to be offers for him between now and the end of the window.”

El Khannouss’ Leicester City release clause

It has been reported that El Khannouss’ £30 million release clause has expired, but that an exit from the King Power Stadium could yet still be on the cards this summer.

Indeed, The Athletic's David Ornstein has revealed on Saturday that Palace have now made an approach to Leicester over a move for Khannouss, but have yet to table an official bid for the Moroccan.

Meanwhile, Eze’s future at Palace remains up in the air even with the Premier League season now underway.

The forward has been linked with both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, with just over two weeks remaining in the summer market.

El Khannouss has a contract with the Foxes until the summer of 2028.

Losing El Khannouss will be a blow for Leicester

El Khannouss’ release clause expiring is a positive development for Leicester as they now have more leverage in any negotiations in the next few weeks.

It is clear that financial issues are holding back the club’s ability to compete in the market at the moment, and earning a significant fee for the attacker would help ease those concerns.

However, he is a talented player and could be a key figure in helping Martí Cifuentes’ side gain promotion this year.

It is a difficult position for Leicester to be in, but it is looking increasingly likely a sale will come to fruition, with Eze also possibly on the move.