‘Keep an eye on this’ – Newcastle pushing to sign £30m star alongside Jacob Ramsey
Newcastle United are preparing an ambitious late push in the transfer market, with Leicester City playmaker Bilal El Khannouss firmly on their radar following their breakthrough in negotiations to sign Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa.
According to Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke has revealed that sources close to St James’ Park believe Eddie Howe is intent on bolstering his squad significantly before the summer window slams shut. With Champions League football returning to Tyneside this season, the Magpies are keen to ensure they have the depth and quality to compete on multiple fronts, and several attacking reinforcements are being actively pursued.
The latest name under serious consideration is El Khannouss, who has already attracted plenty of attention across Europe. Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown recently told Football Insider that both Newcastle and Leeds United are closely monitoring the 20-year-old midfielder, with interest intensifying as the transfer deadline approaches.
Although the Moroccan international previously had a £30million release clause in his contract at Leicester, that clause is believed to have expired earlier in the summer. Even so, a deal is very much on the table, with Leicester manager Marti Cifuentes understood to be willing to cash in on the highly-rated youngster if the right offer arrives. El Khannouss himself is reportedly open to a return to the Premier League after impressing despite the Foxes’ relegation.
Newcastle face competition for El Khannouss
The Magpies are not alone in their admiration. Crystal Palace are also keeping a close eye on El Khannouss, with the Eagles identifying him as a potential replacement for Eberechi Eze, who continues to be strongly linked with Tottenham. That scenario could spark a bidding war, with Palace, Leeds, and Newcastle all vying for his signature.
O’Rourke believes Leicester are bracing themselves for formal offers before the window shuts:
> “He’s a player who has attracted a lot of interest this summer,” O’Rourke told Football Insider.
“He was one of Leicester’s shining lights in the Premier League last season. He’s clever, creative, and has the ability to step up to a bigger club and really make his mark.”
Despite the ongoing speculation, El Khannouss has remained professional, starting Leicester’s opening match of the new Championship campaign and contributing two assists in the process. His performances continue to underline why Premier League clubs are circling, with Newcastle in particular viewing him as a natural fit for Howe’s system.
The Tyneside club’s pursuit of El Khannouss comes alongside their efforts to land Ramsey, raising the possibility that Howe could secure both midfielders to inject fresh dynamism into his squad. With the demands of European competition, domestic cups, and the Premier League grind, Newcastle know they cannot afford to be light in key positions.
Leicester, meanwhile, are resigned to facing a huge challenge in persuading El Khannouss to remain in the Championship, especially if multiple top-flight clubs test their resolve with big-money bids.
Wissa deal edging closer
Newcastle’s transfer activity doesn’t stop there. Football Insider also reports that the club are increasingly likely to secure the signing of Yoane Wissa from Brentford. Despite late interest from Liverpool, the Magpies remain firmly in the driving seat.
Brentford have already paved the way for Wissa’s departure by sealing the signing of Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara, a move that effectively provides a ready-made replacement. That development means Newcastle’s most recent offer for Wissa is now expected to be accepted.
The 27-year-old forward would provide Eddie Howe with another versatile attacking option, capable of operating both through the middle and out wide. His arrival, coupled with Ramsey’s imminent signing and the ongoing pursuit of El Khannouss, signals that Newcastle are set for one of the busiest ends to a window in the Premier League.
A defining end to the summer window
With just days left before the transfer deadline, Newcastle’s recruitment drive is gathering serious momentum. Howe’s determination to expand his squad reflects both the growing ambition on Tyneside and the recognition of the challenges that lie ahead in balancing Champions League nights with the unforgiving Premier League schedule.
If the Magpies succeed in landing Ramsey, El Khannouss, and Wissa, it would represent a bold statement of intent, giving Howe the kind of attacking depth and creativity required to push Newcastle into the Premier League’s elite conversation for the long term.