(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Sat 16 August 2025 8:00, UK

Crystal Palace are plotting a move to sign Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss if Eberechi Eze leaves before the transfer window closes.

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Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what sources have told him about the 21-year-old’s future at Leicester amid growing Premier League interest.

The attacking midfielder had a £30million release clause in his contract at the King Power Stadium, and while that is now said to have expired, a deal is not off the cards.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 15 August that Leeds and Newcastle are interested in El Khannouss and could now make a move.

Crystal Palace could be forced to replace Eberechi Eze this summer.

(Credit: Imago)

Palace are also preparing to join the race, as both Tottenham and Arsenal plan to push to sign Eze in the closing stages of the summer window.

Football Insider revealed on 15 August that Tottenham are leading the race for Eze and are stepping up their pursuit after James Maddison’s injury.

Football Insider revealed on 30 July that Crystal Palace are reluctant to lose Eze and will stand firm on their demand that clubs pay his £68million release clause.

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However, if they lose their talisman before the window closes, they have identified El Khannouss as a potential replacement following his displays for Leicester last season.

O’Rourke explained that Leicester could face a battle to hold on to their star man before the window closes and may be prepared to accept offers.

“He was one of Leicester’s shining lights last season in the Premier League,” he told Football Insider.

“He’s a very smart operator and he’s got potential to move on to a bigger club and become a big player for them in the future.

“He isn’t letting the speculation effect him at the moment, he started for Leicester in their opening game of the season and got a couple of assists as well.

Crystal Palace are planning to join the race for Bilal El Khannouss.

(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

“There’s a lot of competition for El Khannouss.

“Leeds have been strongly looking at him to see if they can bring him in.

“There has also been talk that Crystal Palace could enter the race for El Khannouss if Eze was to leave, he would be seen as a replacement for him.

“I think Leicester are open to selling him, and they’ll face a real battle to convince the player to stay in the Championship if he does have Premier League offers.

“He’s going to be one to keep an eye on before the end of the window because I think there are going to be offers for him between now and the end of the window.”

Eze may not be the only player on his way out of Selhurst Park in the closing stages of the transfer window amid ongoing speculation about Marc Guehi’s future.

Football Insider revealed on 15 August that Liverpool and Palace are in negotiations over Guehi, but the Eagles’ £40million valuation has stalled the deal.

Liverpool remain keen to sign Marc Guehi.

(Credit: Imago)

Sources say the two clubs remain apart in their valuations, with Arne Slot’s side aiming to pay £30-35million to land the England international defender.

This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 4 August that Liverpool are preparing a new offer for Guehi, who has his heart set on a move to Anfield.

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