Crystal Palace Accelerate Pursuit For ‘Very Bright’ Midfielder To Replace Eberechi Eze

Crystal Palace have had an eventful start to the 2025/26 season, which has seen them win the Community Shield title after defeating Liverpool.

They kicked off their Premier League campaign with a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, and it looks like they’re working diligently to improve their squad before the summer transfer window closes.

With Eberechi Eze seemingly moving closer to a switch to Tottenham Hotspur, the Eagles appear to be working hard for the signing of Leicester City man Bilal El Khannouss.

How Much Will Crystal Palace Have To Pay For Bilal El Khannouss’ Signing From Leicester City?

Crystal Palace are aiming to secure a deal for a possible Eze replacement before selling him, and it’s now being reported that they have officially contacted Leicester City for the signing of 21-year-old forward Bilal El Khannouss.

The Eagles are now discussing a possible deal for Bilal El Khannous, with Leicester City ready to complete a deal as they need to sell more players in order to make signings for new manager Marti Cifuentes.

It’s further claimed that the Foxes are ready to complete a deal to sell El Khannouss to Crystal Palace for a fee of around £30 million plus some more in potential add-ons. They are ready to do a deal quickly in order to find a replacement for the 21-year-old.

Meanwhile, El Khannouss has reportedly already informed Leicester City that he wishes to join the London club in the summer window, putting them under even more pressure to get a deal done.

With that being said, it’s being claimed that the Leicester forward isn’t the only player being monitored by Crystal Palace as they aim to sign a replacement for Eze.

They are also interested in Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis, but the Belgian club are asking for way more than the £26 million that the Eagles are ready to pay for his signing. This could force them to focus on El Khannouss’ signing, which is why they’ve started negotiations to get the deal done.

How Can Bilal El Khannouss Fit In At Crystal Palace?

Bilal El Khannouss has already had an impressive start to the 2025/26 season for Leicester City, providing three assists in as many matches for them.

However, the Moroccan forward has gained his popularity for his heroics in the 2024/25 campaign for Leicester City, being one of their better players in the disappointing Premier League campaign. He scored two goals and provided three assists in 32 Premier League matches, mostly operating in the attacking midfield role for his side.

The 21-year-old proved to be a real troublesome figure for opponents, averaging 5.28 progressive passes, 3.01 progressive carries, and 3.22 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, being a thorn in the creative sense and also helping Leicester City create some threatening counter-attacking chances.

In comparison, Ismaila Sarr averaged 2.82 progressive passes, 2.49 progressive carries and 3.65 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season.

Eberechi Eze, meanwhile, averaged 3.37 progressive passes, 2.40 progressive carries, and 4.69 shot-creating actions per 90 last season in the top flight.

This only shows that El Khannouss, who has been tipped to have a “very, very bright” future, has the potential and quality that is necessary to replace an influential player like Eze.

He can also play in the left wing if required and has that eye for sending his teammates through on goal with clever passes, creating major chances and scoring clever goals.

It’s now upon Crystal Palace to get a deal over the line as they scamper to get all their transfer activity resolved before the 2025 summer window closes.