Moroccan international Bilal El Khannouss has emerged as one of the most exciting players to watch in the final days of the summer transfer window, amid lingering uncertainty over his future at VfB Stuttgart.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder saw his transfer market value surge following an impressive season in the Bundesliga and standout performances with the Atlas Lions, putting him back on the radar of several Premier League clubs.
Will Bilal El Khannouss Leave Stuttgart After Just One Year?
According to Sky Sport Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, El Khannouss is open to a new challenge, despite holding a long-term contract with VfB Stuttgart.
The German side has received two preliminary inquiries from Premier League teams regarding the Moroccan star’s availability. However, these contacts have not yet materialized into official negotiations or concrete transfer bids.
While Stuttgart prefers to retain the playmaker, their stance could change if they receive a bid reaching €60 million plus add-ons.
A suitable offer could bring an early end to El Khannouss’s spell in Germany. He originally joined Stuttgart on loan from Leicester City in the summer of 2025 before making his move permanent through a buyout clause. Consequently, he could depart after just one full season in Germany, though Stuttgart’s high price tag remains the main obstacle to his Premier League return.
Bilal El Khannouss: Stuttgart Stats & Goals
El Khannouss delivered an eye-catching debut season for Stuttgart:
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Total Appearances: 41 matches (all competitions)
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Goal Contributions: 16 (9 goals, 7 assists)
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Bundesliga Record: 25 matches, 4 goals, and 5 assists (despite a slight drop in starting lineups following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations).
Career Path: From Genk to the Premier League
Born in Belgium, El Khannouss developed at the Anderlecht youth academy before joining KRC Genk at age 15. He made his senior debut for Genk in July 2022, going on to feature in 60 Belgian Pro League matches (4 goals, 14 assists).
In the summer of 2024, he moved to Leicester City, making 32 Premier League appearances (2 goals, 3 assists), though he was unable to prevent the Foxes’ relegation.
International Career with Morocco
After representing both Belgium and Morocco at the youth level, El Khannouss pledged his senior allegiance to the Moroccan National Team.
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2022 FIFA World Cup: Part of the historic squad that finished 4th in Qatar.
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U-23 Success: Won the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations and secured the Bronze Medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
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2026 AFCON & World Cup: Played a crucial role in helping Morocco reach the AFCON final in early 2026 (losing to Senegal) and started 6 matches during the Atlas Lions’ run to the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals.
