Newcastle handed chance to sign Bilal El Khannouss
Newcastle United could be handed another opportunity to sign Bilal El Khannouss, with Stuttgart reportedly prepared to listen to offers for the Moroccan playmaker as early as January.
The 21-year-old has previously revealed our interest in him, and with a natural No.10 still arguably missing from our squad, this is a development worth keeping an eye on.
El Khannouss set to become available?
According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Stuttgart are prepared to sell El Khannouss in the January transfer window and would be open to offers in the region of €40m, including add-ons – approximately £33.5m.
Plettenberg also reports that Galatasaray are monitoring the situation, although no concrete steps have been taken so far.
It is an interesting development given our previous attempts to bring the playmaker to Tyneside.
Newcastle were heavily linked with El Khannouss following Leicester City’s relegation, with reports suggesting we were working on a deal to sign him before ultimately moving for Jacob Ramsey instead.
The Moroccan later revealed that Newcastle and Crystal Palace had been in contact, but neither club wanted to activate his reported £30m release clause. Speaking about that summer, he said:
“Of course, the Premier League was my priority in the last transfer window.
“I was in contact with several clubs, and with some I was even in advanced negotiations. But it didn’t work out. As far as concrete offers were concerned, it was mainly Crystal Palace and Newcastle, to a lesser extent.”
El Khannouss has since impressed in Germany, and his attacking output last season – nine goals and nine assists – underlines the sort of creativity he could bring to that No.10 role in Jaissle's 4-2-3-1 system.
At 21, he also fits the profile of a player Ross Wilson may be happy to pursue. We have plenty of energy and industry in the middle of the park, but a natural No.10 who can operate between the lines, unlock defences and create chances is something we have been missing.
Willock sale could make room for El Khannouss
One potential route to making a move happen could involve Joe Willock.
The midfielder is approaching the final months of his contract, with Bestikas making serious efforts to sign him last summer. If that interest develops into a concrete offer, Newcastle may have to consider whether January is the right time to cash in rather than risk losing him for nothing when his deal expires.
Willock has enjoyed more game time under Jaissle, and has scored three times this season, but his future is uncertain and a departure could create both room in the squad and funds for a replacement.
More importantly, it could give us the opportunity to replace one midfielder with a completely different profile.
El Khannouss is a genuine attacking midfielder who can provide creativity and a goal threat, rather than another central option who is more comfortable operating in a deeper or box-to-box role.
There is no suggestion that Newcastle have made a fresh approach for him, but with our previous interest, Stuttgart's plans to sell and the possibility of Willock moving on, the pieces are there for an interesting January opportunity.
If we are looking to add a natural No.10 to Jaissle’s squad, I'd be surprised if El Khannouss wasn't on our radar this winter.
