Newcastle Targets Bilal El Khannous

French outlet ‘Foot Mercato’ has reported that English club Newcastle United has included Moroccan international Bilal El Khannous in their options to strengthen the squad during the final days of the summer transfer window.

According to the source, Newcastle's interest in Khannous comes amid complicated negotiations to sign Lille's Matthias Fernandez-Pardo, after the French club demanded €70 million, while the English offer stood at €60 million.

Newcastle had previously monitored Khnous during the transfer window, and his name has resurfaced as a potential alternative, with the player impressing the English club's officials.

Khenous is 22 years old and currently plays for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, where he delivered impressive performances last season, scoring 4 goals and providing 5 assists in the German league.

Stuttgart had rejected an offer from Turkish side Galatasaray worth €22 million, confirming the German club's insistence on receiving a higher financial return for the player.