Spurs are chasing top Moroccan talent after losing Morgan Gibbs-White.
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly turned their attention to the signing of an outstanding attacking talent, referred to as a “magician” by a reputable scout, after the crushing defeat in the pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White.
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Spurs were left with their hats in their hands after striking an apparent deal for the Nottingham Forest captain, only for the 25-year-old to change his mind at the last minute and opted to sign a record-breaking new contract at his current club.
New search for creative power
This has led Tottenham to turn their attention to other options for a new playmaker, with names such as Chelsea target Xavi Simons, Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott and Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo on Thomas Frank’s list.
The need for a new attacking midfielder may seem surprising, as Frank already has James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and new reinforcement Mohammed Kudus all capable of filling that role.
However, the speculation has continued, and TBR Football now reports that Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss has emerged as a serious target for Spurs.
A “magician” on the field
El Khannouss, who has been described as a “magician” by scout Jacek Kulig, had an impressive debut season in the Premier League with Leicester, even though the club was relegated to the Championship.
These performances have sparked interest from several clubs, with unconfirmed rumours that Leeds United are also considering a bid for the 21-year-old talent.
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According to TBR Football, El Khannouss could be available for around £25 million (€29 million), while the Moroccan international is also rumoured to have a £22.5 million relegation clause in his contract.
Dealing with another such clause is unlikely to be at the top of Daniel Levy’s wish list, but both amounts are entirely possible for a Tottenham club that still has a healthy economy to bolster their squad this summer.
Where does El Khannouss fit in at Spurs?
Although Tottenham could face competition from Newcastle and Crystal Palace for the Leicester star, he could be a valuable player for Frank.
Most of his playing time at Leicester came as an attacking midfielder, but he can also play on the left flank – a position Spurs will want to reinforce, especially if club legend Son Heung-min leaves for MLS club LAFC.
El Khannouss, who previously impressed at Genk, scored three goals and provided six assists for a Leicester side struggling to keep up in the Premier League. Still, he showed that he belongs at the high level.
What will he bring to Tottenham?
Besides being called a “magician”, El Khannouss is also described as:
- A “technical and creative attacking player” with strong playmaking skills and dribbling
- Someone who “controls the pace of the game” and finds space between the lines
- Calm at the decisive moment and with the ability to play precise passes
Signing him could give Frank the creative spark that was sometimes missing under Ange Postecoglou last year.
Conclusion:
With a budget in place and a need for creativity, El Khannouss could be a smart signing for Tottenham – either as a direct replacement for Gibbs-White or as a long-term investment in young talent.
