Just In: Wolves urged to hijack Crystal Palace’s £25m swoop for Leicester City star amid ‘advanced talks’
The summer transfer window is rapidly approaching its climax, and the final two weeks are already shaping up to be frantic. Clubs across the Premier League are scrambling to strengthen their squads before the September 1 deadline, with every move potentially decisive in shaping the fortunes of the season ahead.
Crystal Palace are reported to be closing in on an exciting attacking addition from Leicester City – but Wolverhampton Wanderers have been advised to intervene and hijack the deal.
Wolves’ shaky start highlights urgent need for reinforcements
Wolves began the 2025/26 campaign in the worst possible fashion, suffering a bruising 4-0 home defeat to reigning champions Manchester City. The heavy loss not only exposed gaps in defensive organisation but also underscored a worrying lack of creativity and attacking flair in Vitor Pereira’s team.
Pereira was candid in his post-match comments, admitting Wolves’ squad is far from complete and demanding immediate action from the club’s hierarchy. Although Jhon Arias and David Moller Wolfe have already arrived to replace Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri, the manager is acutely aware more depth and higher quality are needed if Wanderers are to be competitive this term.
In particular, Wolves are seeking greater attacking versatility. Another striker is on the wishlist to provide competition for Jørgen Strand Larsen, but top priority is a new number 10 – a creative midfielder who can also operate across the wings when required.
The Bilal El Khannouss opportunity
That exact profile may be available in the form of Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss. The 21-year-old Moroccan international has attracted serious attention this summer, and Palace are said to be in advanced negotiations to sign him as a long-term replacement for Eberechi Eze, who looks increasingly likely to join Tottenham Hotspur.
Reports from Sky Sport Switzerland suggest talks between Palace and Leicester are reaching a decisive stage, with multiple offers tabled. Leicester have already turned down a £25 million bid, but the situation remains fluid, with a fresh round of negotiations scheduled for August 18.
For Wolves, this represents a potential golden opportunity. Rather than allowing Palace to steal a march, Wanderers could swoop in and attempt to hijack the deal – particularly as El Khannouss appears to fit the exact mould Pereira is searching for.
Why El Khannouss makes sense for Wolves
Despite registering modest attacking returns in his debut Premier League campaign – three goals and two assists – El Khannouss consistently impressed with his technical ability and work rate. His underlying numbers tell a different story, one of a player with significant potential to grow.
Among attacking midfielders last season, he ranked inside the top 25% for successful passes (767), chances created (42), accurate long balls (57), successful crosses (18), and dribble success rate (59.6%). Crucially, he accumulated those stats in just 2,193 minutes of action, underlining both his efficiency and room for further improvement.
At only 21 years old and already capped 22 times by Morocco, El Khannouss is still far from the finished product – yet that is exactly why Wolves should move. A talent with his technical skill, vision, and adaptability could become a long-term cornerstone for Pereira’s attacking blueprint.
How he would slot into Pereira’s system
If Wolves were to beat Palace to his signature, El Khannouss would immediately be in contention for a starting role. In Pereira’s preferred 3-4-3 setup, the Moroccan could operate on either side of Strand Larsen, drifting inside from wide areas and using his quick feet to unlock stubborn defences.
He would face competition from the likes of Jhon Arias, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Marshall Munetsi, Fer Lopez, Rodrigo Gomes, and Hwang Hee-chan, but his dribbling quality and creativity would allow him to stand out. While Wolves already have a number of industrious midfielders, few possess the raw flair and composure on the ball that El Khannouss brings.
A decisive moment in the market
With Palace pushing hard to finalise the move, time is running out for Wolves to act. Pereira has been clear about his squad’s shortcomings, and with supporters desperate for reinforcements, a bold statement signing could transform the mood at Molineux.
Hijacking Palace’s £25 million pursuit of Bilal El Khannouss might be exactly the kind of decisive, ambitious move Wolves need to reignite their season before it risks derailing early on.