Leicester City stand to net a massive transfer windfall as former midfielder Bilal El Khannouss sees his market value soar at VfB Stuttgart. With Galatasaray bidding for the Moroccan star, Leicester’s active sell-on clause could fund critical late summer squad additions.
Stuttgart completed a permanent deal for the attacking midfielder earlier this summer following a successful loan spell. The initial agreement, paired with Stuttgart’s loan fee, ensured Leicester turned a profit on the £21 million paid to acquire him back in 2024. Now, his transfer valuation has exploded. CIES Football Observatory values the 22-year-old playmaker between €52 million and €60 million (£44.6m to £51.4m).
Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray have launched a formal offer to Stuttgart to snatch the Moroccan star. Discussions are ongoing between the two clubs, though convincing the player remains a hurdle because he is settled in Germany. El Khannouss earned his elite reputation by tearing open defenses in Germany last term. He notched nine goals and seven assists in 41 games last season while starting six matches during Morocco’s World Cup quarter-final charge.
That sudden surge in value is massive news for Leicester City. LeicestershireLive confirmed that Leicester secured a vital sell-on clause in their agreement with Stuttgart. If the German outfit cash in on El Khannouss during the final weeks of the summer window, Leicester will collect a direct percentage of the fee.
That potential injection of funds gives manager Russell Martin crucial leverage as deadline day approaches. Martin has made no secret of his desire to bolster his defensive line before the window shuts.
Addressing his squad priorities, Martin confirmed: “We’ll be looking to sign at least one player in that area and then be ready to react to anything else as well,” while emphasizing: “I think seeing a centre-back in the building at some point will probably be inevitable.”
If Galatasaray seal the deal, Leicester’s sell-on cut could fund Martin’s primary defensive target. It gives the Foxes immediate spending power at the most crucial time of the summer.
