VfB Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth has confirmed that the club will sign Bilal El Khannouss permanently. The purchase from Leicester City has been secured.
Sporting BILD interviewed Wohlgemuth, and during the conversation he confirmed that Stuttgart will complete the permanent transfer.
“Yes, that’s right. I can confirm that,” he said when asked if the €15m purchase option on the Leicester midfielder had been met.
“All the conditions have now been met. We’re delighted to have secured Bilal’s permanent contract with VfB.”
Successful loan deal
Bilal El Khannouss joined Stuttgart on loan from Leicester City last summer after the Foxes suffered relegation to the Championship.
Leicester signed him from Genk in August 2024 for €22.5m, but he struggled during his first season, registering just three goals and seven assists in 39 appearances.
At Stuttgart, however, El Khannouss has thrived. He has scored eight goals and provided four assists in 33 games so far, earning comparisons to Lionel Messi.
Stuttgart have shown strong satisfaction with the deal, and earlier this month reports claimed the clubs had already agreed a permanent transfer.
Those reports explained that the loan agreement included a permanent clause, which activated once El Khannouss reached a specified number of appearances this season. Wohlgemuth has now confirmed that condition has been fulfilled.
Financial boost for Leicester
Overall, the deal appears to benefit all parties. Leicester City have secured around €21.5m through a combination of loan fees and the permanent transfer, effectively recouping their original investment.
That outcome provides a welcome boost amid Leicester’s ongoing financial difficulties. It also removes the risk of having to sell the player at a reduced price this summer should they end up relegated.
Now the focus for El Khannouss will be on continuing to impress and getting his career back on track.