Bilal El Khannouss has lifted the lid on his Leicester City exit, delivering a brutal assessment of the club’s Championship future and making it clear he never had any intention of staying at the King Power Stadium following relegation.
The Morocco international was one of the few standout performers during Leicester’s turbulent Premier League campaign last season, catching the eye with his composure, creativity and maturity well beyond his years. His performances inevitably drew attention from across Europe, with Premier League sides monitoring his situation closely.
However, rather than committing himself to helping Leicester rebuild in the second tier, El Khannouss chose to walk away. The attacking midfielder sealed a loan move to Stuttgart in September, with the Bundesliga side moving swiftly to replace Nick Woltemade after his transfer to Newcastle United.
Since arriving in Germany, El Khannouss has gone from strength to strength. He has established himself as one of the most inventive young midfielders in Europe, averaging over 2.4 key passes per game and becoming a central figure in Stuttgart’s attacking play.
Now, El Khannouss has confirmed that Newcastle United’s interest in him was genuine — while also revealing just how quickly he shut the door on any idea of remaining at Leicester City under new boss Marti Cifuentes.
Speaking to Foot Mercato, the 21-year-old did not hold back when reflecting on his decision to leave.
Bilal El Khannouss:
“When Marti Cifuentes arrived, he wanted to explain his project to me but I was clear from the start with the club and the coach. I couldn’t see myself staying in the Championship, I aim much higher than that.”“I said I wanted to leave. And they told me that if everything was aligned deal-wise, they were going to do it. In the end, at the end of the transfer window, they must have had a little more hope that I would stay. It was out of the question for me and I told them. I really couldn’t see myself staying another year in Leicester.”
Those comments will not sit well with Leicester supporters, particularly given the club’s history and the legacy built by figures such as Jamie Vardy, who famously led the Foxes through title glory and relegation battles alike.
El Khannouss has also confirmed that his heart was set on a Premier League move during the summer, with Newcastle among the clubs keeping tabs on his availability.
Speaking to Fussball Transfers, he admitted:
“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, to a lesser extent, Newcastle.”
While a move to England failed to materialise, El Khannouss remains on loan at Stuttgart, leaving the door open for another transfer next summer. Even if the German side pursue a permanent deal, a future sale cannot be ruled out given his rapid rise and growing reputation.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, are understood to be assessing their options ahead of the January transfer window. Eddie Howe’s side are believed to be exploring reinforcements out wide and in central midfield, as they look to add creativity to a squad that can sometimes struggle to break down compact, low-block defences.
El Khannouss has experience operating from the left but is most effective as an advanced midfielder — a profile Newcastle currently lack in certain matches. His vision, technical ability and confidence in tight spaces could offer a solution to that ongoing issue.
For Leicester City, though, El Khannouss’ remarks underline a sobering reality. One of their brightest young talents has not only departed, but done so while making it abundantly clear that playing in the Championship — even temporarily — was never something he was prepared to entertain.