Arsenal are in the process of securing a deal worth €30 million for Leicester City’s attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss this summer.
The Moroccan international joined Leicester from KRC Genk last year, and he has been one of the few bright spots during the club’s disappointing 2024/25 season.
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The 20-year-old has scored three goals and provided four assists in 33 appearances in all competitions since arriving at the King Power Stadium, and his performances have attracted attention from Arsenal.
This comes according to Spanish online newspaper Fichajes, who claim that Arsenal have already begun negotiations to sign El Khannouss this summer. The London club see him as “a promising young talent”.
Leicester have reportedly accepted that they will have to sell El Khannouss after their relegation to the Championship, and they have set a starting price of €30 million – which is significantly lower than his estimated market value of €40 million.
Arsenal have reportedly become one of the most likely buyers for the young Moroccan this summer, while they are looking for a player who can cover the need for a back-up to club captain Martin Ødegaard. The expectation is that they will intensify their pursuit before the transfer window opens.
Arsenal’s summer plans
Although El Khannouss has reportedly become a transfer target for Arsenal, it is expected that the north London club will prioritise several other players before finalising a deal with Leicester.
Joan Garcia is considered the club’s ideal goalkeeper signing, while they are also hoping to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, Athletic Club winger Nico Williams and Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres. Mikel Arteta wants to build a team that can fight for the Premier League title next season.
According to FootballTransfers, Arsenal are also in talks to sign Valencia defender Yarek Gasiorowski, but they seem to be missing out on Rosenborg’s big talent Sverre Nypan, who is now expected to sign for Aston Villa.
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