Tottenham set to miss out on Moroccan talent Bilal El Khannouss to Leicester City

Tottenham Hotspur have certainly enjoyed a productive summer transfer window, signing the likes of Dominic Solanke, Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert.

Head coach Ange Postecoglou wants to build on his impressive first season in north London and get the club into the Champions League spots this time around. The Lilywhites are expected to do more business in the final couple of days of the transfer window.

While the focus will be centred around moving on Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon, transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has excited the Spurs fans by claiming that the club will be busy in the front of the incoming too.

Big Ange’s squad has been weakened by the departure of academy graduate Oliver Skipp to newly promoted Leicester City. In a season where the Lilywhites are going to compete in four competitions, Big Ange must have a squad with solid depth. This makes it extremely important for the club to replace Skipp in their midfield ranks.

Spurs had scouted Moroccan talent Bilal El Khannouss earlier this year, but it looks like he is heading to the East Midlands of English football.

According to a report from The Athletic, Leicester City are looking to complete the signing of Genk midfielder Bilal El Khannouss in the coming days. He is set to fly to England in the coming days to undergo medical after the two clubs agreed a £19million fee.

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Leicester City agreeing a fee with Genk for El Khannouss should come as a huge blow for Spurs. The interest in the Morocco international likely stood fuelled by Tottenham’s long-term vision, always on the lookout for emerging talents to secure the club’s future. The 20-year-old’s style of play certainly aligns with Big Ange’s preference for flexible midfielders who can contribute from various positions on the pitch.

El Khannouss, rated among the gems in African football, was one of Genk’s best performers last season, registering three goals and six assists in 27 league appearances. For his displays in Genk colours, he was also selected for Morocco’s Olympic squad in Paris.

The 20-year-old would have certainly been a more than adequate replacement for Skipp, even though he prefers operating in advanced areas. The Belgium-born Moroccan talent is creative, and tenacious, covers a lot of ground and scores goals. Technically solid, El Khannouss would have been an extremely good fit in Postecoglou’s system at Spurs.

He may have been a good option to compete with James Maddison for the No.10 role. Moreover, the playmaker’s addition certainly would have raised the ceiling of our club’s midfield unit. The £19million fee for El Khannouss is an excellent deal for Leicester City, who are doing their best to prepare a squad to stay in the top flight.

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Unfortunately, Big Ange and Spurs will now have to look elsewhere to possibly strengthen the midfield.