Turkish record champions Galatasaray have set their sights on Morocco international Bilal El Khannouss, according to a report from fussballtransfers. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is reportedly seeking a move away from VfB Stuttgart in search of more regular playing time.
What are the details of Galatasaray's interest?
The report states that Galatasaray are closely monitoring El Khannouss's situation. However, the Turkish club's offer is said to fall well short of Stuttgart's valuation, which is set at a hefty €65 million. El Khannouss initially joined Stuttgart on loan from Leicester City last summer before the German club triggered an €18 million purchase option at the end of May. His contract with Stuttgart runs until 2030 and contains no release clause.
In his debut Bundesliga season, El Khannouss made 41 competitive appearances across all competitions, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists. These numbers highlight the attacking potential that has attracted interest. Fans can track the performance of Morocco's stars on our dedicated stats page.
Why does El Khannouss want to leave?
The Moroccan had a strong start to last season but lost his regular starting place in the second half of the campaign under coach Sebastian Hoeneß. German publication kicker reported at the start of July that El Khannouss was feeling frustration and impatience over his current situation and wanted significantly more playing time. The player himself is said not to have liked his reduced role at all.
For their part, VfB Stuttgart have shown little willingness to discuss a potential transfer. The club reportedly has no intention of letting El Khannouss leave after just one permanent year. Sources suggest only an extraordinarily high offer in the mid-double-digit millions could make Stuttgart reconsider.
How does this affect the Morocco national team?
Bilal El Khannouss is considered one of the promising young talents in the Morocco squad, known as the Atlas Lions. Ensuring he gets consistent minutes at club level is vital for his continued development and contribution to the national team. The full squad can be viewed on our squad page.
Morocco is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they have been drawn in Group Seven alongside Uruguay, South Korea, and Canada. Their World Cup journey begins against Uruguay on June 14, 2026. All match details are available on our fixtures page.
What about Galatasaray's other interest in Stuttgart?
Galatasaray's interest in Stuttgart does not stop at El Khannouss. Reports claim the Turkish side is also looking at striker Ermedin Demirovic. Galatasaray had already submitted a €15 million offer for the Bosnian forward, but VfB rejected it immediately. Stuttgart paid €23 million to sign Demirovic from FC Augsburg just two years ago, and the 28-year-old contributed 15 goals and five assists in 37 matches last season.
What is the next step in the El Khannouss situation?
The current stance appears rigid. Stuttgart's insistence on keeping the player and the lack of a release clause in his contract make any transfer complicated. Galatasaray would need to table a truly convincing financial offer to persuade the German management. For El Khannouss, the coming period will be key in determining his future, whether by staying to fight for his place or securing a move to a new environment that offers the trust and minutes he desires, especially with major national team challenges on the horizon.
