West Ham and Sunderland are reportedly in a fierce battle to secure the services of Leicester City playmaker Bilal El Khannouss, as reported by L’Équipe.
Sunderland has been actively strengthening its squad since returning to the Premier League, managing to beat West Ham to sign Habib Diarra. Now, it seems the Black Cats are ahead in the race to sign El Khannouss, another player on West Ham’s radar.
The young Moroccan player impressed in his debut Premier League season after joining Leicester for £21 million from Genk. Despite his team’s relegation, El Khannouss showed his skill and talent in a struggling Foxes side.
While Sunderland currently has the upper hand, West Ham and Monaco from Ligue 1 are also keen on signing him, according to L’Équipe.
El Khannouss, who is 20 years old, scored three goals and provided five assists in 33 league appearances, showcasing his vision, control, and versatility on the pitch. His ability to play as a No.10 or a more advanced No.8 could bring the much-needed creativity and spark that West Ham’s midfield lacks.
With the departure of Mohammed Kudus and uncertainty around Lucas Paquetá’s future, West Ham urgently needs some magic and creativity at the London Stadium.
