Bilal El Khannouss permanently transferred to Stuttgart

VfB Stuttgart has finalized the permanent transfer of Moroccan midfielder Bilal El Khannouss, exercising the purchase option in his loan agreement. According to the German newspaper "Bild," Stuttgart will pay approximately 18 million euros, plus performance-related bonuses, for the African champion. This follows an initial investment of over 3 million euros for his loan from Leicester City. El Khannouss quickly became a key player for Stuttgart, making 35 appearances across all competitions, scoring 9 goals, and providing 4 assists. His consistent performances and offensive impact convinced the German club to secure his long-term presence in the Bundesliga. With the Atlas Lions, El Khannouss is also establishing himself under Mohamed Ouahbi, aiming for a starting position for the 2026 World Cup. Additionally, Azzedine Ounahi, shining for Girona, is attracting interest from Atlético de Madrid, while Neil El Aynaoui is reportedly being monitored by Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, despite limited playing time at AS Roma. These developments highlight the increasing appeal of Moroccan international players in the European football market.