How Morocco star Bilal El Khannouss rejected €40m Al-Ittihad offer

Morocco midfielder Bilal El Khannouss reportedly rejected a €40m (£34m) offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad to remain in European football.

The Saudi Pro League side made the offer to VfB Stuttgart on 1 September, the final day of the European transfer window, according to German broadcaster Sky Sport.

However, the 22-year-old Moroccan international was not interested in moving to Saudi Arabia, with the report stating that El Khannouss did not want to continue his career in the Gulf.

Neither Stuttgart nor Al-Ittihad has publicly commented on the reported approach.

Summer of transfer interest

El Khannouss was the subject of considerable interest during the summer as Stuttgart looked to raise funds for new signings and investment in the club’s facilities.

The Bundesliga side rejected a €22m bid from Turkish champions Galatasaray in August.

Premier League side Newcastle United were also linked with the midfielder after failing to secure a move for Lille winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo, with reports suggesting El Khannouss was open to a move to England.

Despite the interest, the transfer window closed with the Moroccan remaining at Stuttgart.

The German club did complete the sale of Chema Andres to Brighton and Hove Albion on deadline day.

Strong first season in Germany

El Khannouss scored nine goals during his first season at Stuttgart after joining the club on loan from Leicester City in September 2025.

His performances convinced Stuttgart to activate an €18m buy option to make his move permanent, having initially paid around €3m for the loan deal.

Leicester had signed the midfielder from Belgian side Genk in August 2024 for a reported £21m before selling him following their relegation from the Premier League.

Key figure for Morocco

The midfielder has become an important player for Morocco, making 43 appearances and scoring three goals for the Atlas Lions.

His performances at this year’s World Cup generated significant interest from clubs across Europe during the summer transfer window.

For African football followers, El Khannouss’ decision to reject the lucrative Saudi offer could be seen as a significant one, with the Moroccan international choosing to continue competing at the highest level of European football as he enters a crucial stage of his career.