Leeds United are trying to accelerate their efforts to add more goals and creativity to their team, with Daniel Farke insisting that his squad can’t be termed Premier League-ready without a few key attacking signings before the end of the window on September 1st.
Signing a striker is of the utmost priority for Leeds in the next few weeks, and several forwards are being assessed while they try to determine the right player who is available at the right price. However, Farke wants to add some creativity to his midfield and bring in one more right winger this summer.
Leeds have already held talks with the representatives of Leicester City attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss, and have also offered him a lucrative contract to move to Elland Road. He has a £24.5m release clause in his contract, and the Whites are prepared to trigger it to make the deal happen.
However, it seems the deal is not as straightforward as paying the release clause and extracting him from Leicester, as it seems there are more complications to it.
Can you name the team Leeds United sold these players to?
Leicester City holding up Leeds United target Bilal El Khannouss’ departure
El Khannouss wants to leave, and several clubs in the Premier League, apart from Leeds, are interested in signing the Moroccan attacking midfielder.
Leicester are aware of the interest, but according to Sky Sports News, the Foxes are prepared to dig in deep to get the best deal possible.
The club, who got relegated from the Premier League last season, want to squeeze out more money before agreeing to sell El Khannouss this summer.
It is not just about the release clause, as there are other related costs, including a tax on the clause, which Leicester would be liable to pay this summer.
However, Leeds would have to agree to pay all the related costs before El Khannouss could become a player for the Whites in the ongoing transfer window.
The attacking midfielder also has suitors in Saudi Arabia and is yet to make up his mind about his next club.
The deal could get more complicated if Leicester hold out on selling him until August 15th, by when the release clause in his contract will expire.
Leeds still have time to get the deal done
Release clauses in England are often not as straightforward as in Europe, as Bayern Munich found out when they signed Michael Olise from Crystal Palace last year.
The related costs associated with a release clause did become a bone of contention between Palace and the German champions, but eventually, the deal got through.
Leeds still have ten more days to secure the deal for El Khannouss for £24.5m plus the associated costs, but the key would be to get the green light from the player.
However, beyond August 15th, if El Khannouss remains unsold, the Whites could have to pay a bigger fee to snare him away from Leicester this summer.
