Exclusive: Leicester Negotiating for £17m Midfielder Known for Assists and Compared to Luka Modric

After a slow start to the transfer window, Leicester City seem to be accelerating their efforts as the deadline approaches next week.

Steve Cooper’s team recently secured a £20 million deal for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Oliver Skipp.

Additionally, on Friday, they unveiled another seasoned Premier League player, versatile forward Jordan Ayew, who joined from Crystal Palace for a fee of £8 million.

Leicester is eager to make more signings in the coming days, and one of the brightest talents in Belgian football has caught their eye.

HITC reports that the 2016 Premier League champions are in discussions about a potential deal to bring highly-rated Bilal El Khannouss to the King Power Stadium.

However, there is no confirmation of a formal bid yet.

KRC Genk is reportedly demanding at least £17 million for the young star.

Leicester City in Talks with KRC Genk for Bilal El Khannouss

Bilal El Khannouss, born in Belgium, has already made a significant impact at just 20 years old, earning 14 caps for Morocco.

He was a part of the Moroccan squad that won the Under-23 African Cup of Nations and also participated in the Olympic Games in Paris.

The talented central midfielder is a key player for Genk, providing eight assists in 51 appearances last season.

El Khannouss has continued his impressive form in the 2024/25 season, already recording three assists in six matches.

His creativity and ability to deliver defence-splitting passes have led to comparisons with Real Madrid’s legendary playmaker Luka Modric.

“For me, he is the player in the Belgian league who will have the greatest career,” said reporter Filip Joos on the 90Minutes podcast on Sporza. “I don’t see anyone else better than him.

(El Khannouss) reminds me most of Modric. That does not mean that he will reach that level.

(The comparisons are) purely in terms of their styles. We have to enjoy him now because he will (soon) be gone from Belgium.”

Foxes Target Likened to Luka Modric

Joos’ prediction might soon become reality, but Leicester still have significant work to do to secure a deal for El Khannouss, who only made his senior debut two years ago.

El Khannouss was named Genk’s Player of the Year for 2024.

Interestingly, he mentioned to Het Belang van Limburg a few months ago that he wanted to avoid making the same mistake Kevin De Bruyne made when he left Belgian football for Chelsea early in his career.

El Khannouss clearly prioritizes regular playing time when choosing his next club.

This could benefit Leicester, especially if they compete with stronger European sides for his signature.

Joos is not the only one who has compared El Khannouss to Croatian icon Modric. Belgium Under-19 coach also sees these similarities but believes that the Leicester target would excel in a deeper role as a number eight, rather than playing behind the striker as a number ten.

“I think he can become absolutely world-class there (in a deeper midfield position),” Belgium Under-19 coach Sonck told Extra Time.

“When I see guys like Luka Modric playing, I also see a bit of El Khannouss.”

As Leicester continue their pursuit, the young talent’s future remains a point of keen interest for many clubs.