bilal el khannouss christos tzolis leicester city crystal palace
Leicester City may be handed a boost in thier chances of keeping star midfielder Bilal El Khannouss, with Crystal Palace seemingly turning their attentions to Club Brugge forward Christos Tzolis
Foxes attacking midfielder El Khannouss has been subject to plenty of transfer speculation this summer window, with Premier League side Palace being the ones in pole position to sign the Moroccan recently as a potential Eberechi Eze replacement.
After a disappointing campaign last year which saw Leicester drop back down to the Championship, El Khannouss was the rare shining light in Leicester’s team, and has since become their prized possession that they won’t want to see leave the club.
However, with Premier League clubs calling, it may be difficult for Leicester to say no to bids.
The 21-year-old made a bright start to Leicester’s Championship season in the search of an immediate return to the top-flight, showing off his creativity by providing two assists in the Foxes opening fixture at home to Sheffield Wednesday, but he was hooked by Marti Cifuentes at half-time of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Preston North End, losing possession eight times in an underwhelming first half.
Leicester City chances of keeping Bilal El Khannouss increase as Crystal Palace change transfer tactic
Despite many links to his services this summer, there may be a chance that Leicester still keep one of their stars, it has been reported via The Athletic that Crystal Palace are potentially looking elsewhere for an El Khannouss alternative.
David Ornstein has claimed that after Palace approached Leicester City to sign El Khannouss, the London club have now turned their attention to Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis as an alternative, if England international Eberechi Eze leaves the club this summer.
Tzolis has spent time in England already with Norwich City, but he disappointed after his move from PAOK Salonika in 2021, playing just 27 league games and scoring one solitary goal before being shipped off to Fortuna Dusseldorf.
The Greek attacker has rebuilt his career though, scoring 24 times in 35 appearances for the German outfit, and he was equally impressive at Club Brugge in Belgium last season, netting 16 Jupiler Pro League goals and 10 assists from the left wing.
As Palace turn their attention towards Tzolis, it will certainly boost the hopes of all involved at Leicester City in keeping Moroccan playmaker El Khannouss.
Having arrived at Leicester off the back of winning the Belgian Pro League’s Young Player of the Season in 2023, the Moroccan brought about much expectation to the King Power, being one of the club’s marquee signings on their return to the Premier League.
Despite the club delivering an underwhelming season to the fans, El Khannouss gave the Foxes fans moments of brilliance, most notably coming in their 2-1 away win over Spurs, where he got himself a goal with a delicately placed effort from outside the box, winning the game and the hearts of the Leicester faithful.
Hopefully, it’s a feeling that Foxes fans can continue seeing at the King Power having been handed a transfer boost by Crystal Palace, but that’s not to say that other clubs won’t come in with an approach for the North African dynamo before the September 1 deadline.
Leicester’s resolve is likely to be tested by someone, but for now, they can breathe a bit easier.
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