VfB Stuttgart’s sporting director, Fabian Wohlgemuth, has officially confirmed the permanent acquisition of Moroccan midfielder Bilal El Khannouss.
Previously, reports indicated that the Bundesliga club held an €18 million buy option within their loan agreement with Leicester City, contingent upon the fulfillment of specific performance targets. This sum is in addition to the €3.5 million loan fee Stuttgart paid last summer to bring the player to Germany.
When questioned about whether these conditions had been met, Wohlgemuth explicitly stated: “Yes, that’s correct. I can confirm that. All the conditions have now been met. We are delighted that we have secured Bilal’s permanent commitment to VfB Stuttgart.”
Following this permanent transfer, El Khannouss is set to sign a new contract with Stuttgart, extending his stay until 2030. Notably, this new deal does not include a release clause, ensuring his long-term commitment to the club.
El Khannouss’s Performance Trajectory
Before his departure for the Africa Cup of Nations, El Khannouss was a pivotal player under coach Sebastian Hoeneß, boasting an impressive record of eight goals and six assists. However, since his return from the tournament, he has encountered difficulties in replicating his earlier standout form. In contrast, teammates such as Deniz Undav and Jamie Leweling have recently hit their stride and are performing consistently.
