Leicester City are expected to be busy as they prepare for life in League One
.Bilal El Khannouss has officially left Leicester City on a permanent deal, VfB Stuttgart have confirmed.
The Morocco international joined the German club on loan from City last summer, following relegation to the Championship. The deal included an obligation for the move to become permanent this summer.
Stuttgart have now confirmed the move in a statement on their official website. Sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth said: “In the season just ended, Bilal excelled across all competitions in a VfB shirt and has established himself at a young age as one of the lynchpins of the Moroccan national team.
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“Bilal already has exceptional footballing skills, but at the same time, we see further scope for development. As such, we’re convinced that he’s not yet reached his full potential.”
Reports in Germany claim that Stuttgart will pay a fee of €17 million (£14.6m) on top of the €3 million (£2.6m) loan fee that they have already paid to City.
The money will be a welcome boost as City prepare for life in League One. El Khannouss is the first of what is expected to be a few sales over the next few weeks and months following relegation.
El Khannouss was a key player for Stuttgart in the season just gone, scoring eight times and providing six assists in 33 appearances across all competitions.
He spent just one season with City, scoring three times and providing six assists in 36 appearances in all competitions in the 2024/25 season.
While the 22-year-old is the first sale, City confirmed the exits of 10 players at the end of their contracts over the weekend.
Club captain Ricardo Pereira is joined by Patson Daka, Jordan Ayew, Jamaal Lascelles and Wanya Marcel in leaving the club.
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Last season’s loanees Jordan James, Aaron Ramsay, Joe Aribo, Dujuan Richards, and Divine Mukasa have all also returned to their parent clubs.
City have confirmed that they are in contract discussions with experienced goalkeeper Asmir Begovic over extending his stay at the King Power Stadium.
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