VfB Stuttgart have completed the signing of Moroccan international Bilal El Khannouss from Leicester City on an initial loan that includes a purchase obligation. Multiple reliable reports indicate a total package of about £26 million (approximately €30 million), comprising a paid loan and a fixed buyout to be activated after the loan period. El Khannouss travelled to Germany for his medical and is expected to be unveiled shortly at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart.
DEAL TERMS AT A GLANCE
- Structure: Paid loan this season, followed by a mandatory permanent transfer clause.
- Value: Package reported around €30 million (≈ £26 million), including a loan fee and guaranteed buy price.
- Status: Player has arrived in Germany for medical checks and final paperwork before announcement.
WHO IS BILAL EL KHANNOUSS?
El Khannouss (born May 10, 2004) is an attacking midfielder renowned for press resistance, close control in tight spaces and progressive carries between the lines. After his emergence at KRC Genk, he moved to Leicester City, featuring regularly in the Premier League last season. He represents Morocco at senior level and is viewed as one of North Africa’s brightest midfield talents.
WHY STUTTGART WANTED HIM
Under head coach Sebastian Hoeneß, Stuttgart’s attacking patterns rely on fast vertical transitions and midfielders who can break pressure and find runners early. El Khannouss excels in exactly these phases: receiving on the half-turn, carrying past the first presser and slipping passes into wide forwards. Expect him to compete for the advanced midfield role, either as a No.10 or a free No.8 in Hoeneß’s flexible structure.
BILAL EL KHANNOUSS STUTTGART: TACTICAL FIT
In possession, El Khannouss gives Stuttgart an extra release valve against high presses. He can drop alongside the pivot to help progression, or stay between lines to create third-man combinations. Out of possession, his acceleration helps Stuttgart’s counterpress immediately after turnovers. With the Bundesliga’s tempo and Stuttgart’s emphasis on compactness after losing the ball, his work rate and spatial awareness should translate quickly.
LAST SEASON AT LEICESTER
El Khannouss featured consistently in England’s top flight, logging over 30 league appearances. His outputs included a handful of direct goal contributions, but his value was just as evident in ball progression, carrying and chance creation from Zone 14. For Stuttgart, those micro-advantages—beating one man, drawing a second and releasing a runner—are the margins that turn stalemates into wins.
THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER
- Appearances (’24/25, all comps): 30+ senior games for Leicester City.
- Primary role: Attacking midfield / free No.8; right-footed, comfortable receiving under pressure.
- International: Senior Morocco international; youth development in Belgium.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR LEICESTER
For Leicester, the deal releases a meaningful fee structure while handing minutes to other profiles in a crowded midfield. The cashflow from the loan fee and the guaranteed buy clause provides flexibility for squad balancing and future recruitment. For El Khannouss himself, the move offers a stable development platform in a league known for accelerating young playmakers.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
- Completion of medical tests and contract signing in Germany.
- Club announcement and first media duties in Stuttgart.
- Integration into Hoeneß’s matchday group following international commitments and training rhythm.
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