Before the transfer deadline, GIVEMESPORT sources believe West Ham United may increase their interest in a move to capture Leicester City striker Bilal El Khannouss.

The Hammers have had a successful summer transfer window thus far, adding Mads Hermansen, Callum Wilson, Kyle Walker-Peters, and El Hadji Malick Diouf to the team in place of a number of seasoned players who were free to depart when their contracts expired.

But now that focus is shifting to bolstering Graham Potter’s side with extra firepower, El Khannouss, a Moroccan international, is a target.

West Ham to Step Up Move for El Khannouss

In the 2024–25 season, El Khannouss, who scout Jacek Kulig has called “magical,” was one of Leicester’s most impressive players as the Foxes were immediately relegated back to the Championship.

There is a £22.5 million release clause in the Morocco international’s King Power Stadium contract, and according to GIVEMESPORT sources, he is anticipated to depart this summer due to interest from several teams, including West Ham.

Although the east London team is interested, it would be challenging to conclude a move because it’s not yet apparent if the player would be amenable to moving to the London Stadium.

The 21-year-old is aware of the Hammers’ interest, but according to insiders, he isn’t sure if joining Potter’s team would be the appropriate option for him at this time. Last season, El Khannouss played for a struggling side in his debut season in England. If he were to return to the Premier League in 2025–2026, it is believed that he would prefer to avoid being in a similar circumstance.

Even though he has a release clause, it has now come to light that there are questions over whether West Ham could truly fund a contract for him.

The Moroccan played 32 Premier League games last season and scored twice, but Leicester was demoted to the Championship under now- Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former manager