Bilal El Khannouss is emerging as a top summer transfer target for Liverpool, with the Moroccan midfielder likely to leave Leicester City following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
Leicester’s return to the Championship was confirmed over the weekend after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, marking a dramatic fall just a season after securing promotion.
With five matches still remaining, the Foxes have failed to escape the drop, and attention has now turned to which players may depart in the wake of their disappointing campaign.
One name drawing immediate interest is 20-year-old El Khannouss, who joined Leicester from Belgian side Genk last summer in a deal worth approximately €20 million.
The young midfielder, under contract until June 2028, has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise underwhelming season for the Midlands club.
In 33 appearances across all competitions, the Morocco international has registered three goals and five assists, with his composure,
vision, and technical ability earning praise even as the team struggled. His performances have caught the attention of several European heavyweights—most notably Liverpool, who are reportedly monitoring his situation closely.
Spanish outlet Sport claims El Khannouss is open to leaving Leicester should a suitable opportunity arise, particularly given the presence of a relegation clause in his contract.
That clause is believed to allow him to exit the club this summer for a fee between €40 million and €45 million—substantially higher than his current estimated market value of €30 million, according to Transfermarkt.
Liverpool, widely expected to clinch the Premier League title this season, are reportedly looking to add fresh energy and creativity to their midfield, and El Khannouss fits the profile.
A move to Anfield would offer the Moroccan a platform to compete at the highest level, including in the UEFA Champions League.
His potential link-up with Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah has also sparked intrigue, with some suggesting the pair could form a potent attacking connection.
El Khannouss has already amassed 20 international caps for Morocco, scoring once and playing a key role in the team’s successful run to a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Games.
His rise has not gone unnoticed; last summer he attracted interest from AS Roma, Benfica, RB Leipzig, Marseille, and Galatasaray, but chose Leicester for what appeared to be a promising Premier League opportunity.
Now, with the club facing life in the second tier, the landscape has shifted dramatically. The player’s ambition to remain at the top of European football could prompt a move, and Liverpool are reportedly ready to act.
While no official bid has yet been made, the coming weeks could see El Khannouss become one of the most talked-about names of the summer transfer window.
For Leicester, losing such a key prospect so soon after acquiring him would be a blow—but given the circumstances, it may prove inevitable.
