News Images

Tottenham keep an eye on Premier League playmaker – Report

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Rohan Sengupta | Last updated May 8, 2025 10:06 AM ET

Leicester City starlet Bilal El Khannouss has caught the attention of Tottenham Hotspur chiefs

In what has been a catastrophic season for Tottenham Hotspur, James Maddison has faced a lot of criticism for his own performances, regardless of contributing heavily on the pitch.

The England midfielder has been a key player in Spurs’ Europa League run-in, supplying three goals and as many assists in 11 appearances. Earlier this week, the Lilywhites were dealt a big blow when Ange Postecoglou confirmed that James Maddison will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

The Coventry-born talent suffered his injury in the 3-1 win in the first leg against Bodo/Glimt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week, which now could rule him out for several months. Maddison may have not been a regular fixture in Ange Postecoglou’s XI this season, as well as not lived up to lofty expectations of the Tottenham Hotspur faithful, but that has not stopped him from being linked with a move away from N17.

Manchester City are keen on signing Maddison as a replacement for midfield maestro Kevin de Bruyne, who will leave the club on a free transfer this summer. And it now looks like Tottenham are perhaps planning for life without their vice-captain.

According to an exclusive report from TBR Football, Tottenham are among a few Premier League clubs keeping an eye on Leicester City playmaker Bilal El Khannouss. The other clubs monitoring his situation are Arsenal, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Leicester City paid £21m to sign Bilal El Khannouss from Genk last summer, and they have got solid returns from him in his first season in English football. He has made 35 appearances across all competitions, including 30 in the Premier League. The young talent has racked up three goals and six assists in a mediocre Leicester City side whose relegation from the top flight was confirmed last month.

The Moroccan international will seek to leave the King Power Stadium following the Foxes’ relegation. El Khannouss is able to play centrally or out on the left, explaining why he’s gaining traction from several top-flight outfits heading into the summer transfer window.

Aged 20, the Strombeek-born talent fits the category of signings Tottenham have made in recent years. In Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray, Spurs have got two sensational talents with bags of potential, and they could enhance their long-term strategy with the acquisition of the Leicester starlet.

It remains to be seen how much the Foxes would want to sell El Khannouss after just one season. The Lilywhites monitoring the African’s progress suggest work has already started behind the scenes to rebuild the squad in the summer.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: