£22m target gearing up to accept Spurs’ last-gasp offer to join, Kudus would love him
It has been a dream start to life at Tottenham Hotspur for new manager Thomas Frank. When his appointment was announced earlier this summer, even the most optimistic Spurs supporter might have struggled to imagine such a flawless beginning.
The team has kicked off the new Premier League season with two convincing victories, scoring five goals and, just as importantly, keeping two clean sheets.
To put that defensive solidity into perspective, it already equals a third of the total number of clean sheets the team managed in the entire previous campaign.
The standout performance so far was undoubtedly the impressive victory over Manchester City at the Etihad, a match where Frank’s tactical plan limited Pep Guardiola’s side to very few genuine opportunities.
Despite this perfect opening, the Danish manager is still keen to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.
The club’s search for a creative attacking midfielder has been a priority, especially after the disappointment of seeing primary target Eberechi Eze choose arch-rivals Arsenal.
This has forced Tottenham to explore other options, and their ambitions were made clear with a substantial £61 million offer for Como’ exciting young Argentine talent, Nico Paz. However, the Serie A club quickly turned down the bid, and the player himself expressed a desire to remain in Italy for now.
This rejection has led Spurs to shift their attention back to a player they have admired for some time: Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss. The 21-year-old Moroccan playmaker is widely expected to leave the recently relegated Foxes before the deadline, with a fee of around £22 million being discussed.
Interestingly, while Crystal Palace had been considered the frontrunners for his signature, recent reports suggest that Tottenham have now entered the race and that there is a “serious possibility” El Khannouss could choose a move to North London instead.
This potential signing could be a masterstroke, particularly when considering how he might complement Tottenham’s own major summer acquisition, Mohammed Kudus.
Kudus, a £55 million arrival from West Ham United, has already settled in beautifully. Deployed in an advanced role, he has started both league games and made an immediate impact, providing two assists in the win over Burnley.
His direct running, dribbling ability, and knack for causing chaos in the final third have quickly made him a fan favorite. While his start has been promising, the addition of a creative force like El Khannouss operating behind him could truly unlock his full potential.
El Khannouss, despite Leicester’s struggles last season, posted some exceptionally promising numbers that illustrate exactly why he would be a perfect fit for Frank’s system. His ability to progress the ball and create chances is precisely what Tottenham is looking for.
The following table breaks down some of his key performances from the 2024/25 Premier League season, showcasing the strengths he would bring to the squad:
| Metric (per 90 minutes) | Statistic | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 32 | A consistent and reliable presence in the team. |
| Goals & Assists | 5 | Direct contribution to scoring despite his team’s struggles. |
| Pass Accuracy | 75% | Solid and reliable in possession under pressure. |
| Progressive Passes | 5.3 | Ranked in the 86th percentile; excels at breaking lines with forward passes. |
| Passes into the Final Third | 3.7 | Ranked in the 90th percentile; constantly looks to start attacks in dangerous areas. |
| Key Passes Made | 1.7 | A consistent creator of goal-scoring opportunities for teammates. |
| Progressive Carries | 3.1 | Confident in driving the ball forward from deep positions. |
| Carries into the Final Third | 1.9 | Frequently uses his dribbling to advance the ball into attacking zones. |
| Take-on Success Rate | 57% | Beats his defender more often than not, showcasing excellent dribbling skill. |
As the table shows, El Khannouss is a player who thrives on making things happen. His high rankings for progressive passes and passes into the final third mean he is constantly looking to feed attackers in advanced positions exactly the service a player like Mohammed Kudus needs to thrive.
Furthermore, his success in carrying the ball and taking on defenders (57% success rate) adds another layer of unpredictability to his game, making him a dual threat as both a passer and a dribbler.
For a fee believed to be in the region of £22 million, securing the signature of Bilal El Khannouss would represent fantastic business for Tottenham.
He is a player with immense potential, whose creative profile seems tailor-made to supply Kudus and elevate the entire attacking unit.
With Crystal Palace still in the picture, Spurs must act decisively to ensure they don’t miss out on a player who could be the final, crucial piece of Thomas Frank’s exciting new project.