Atletico Madrid has set its sights on the 19-year-old Moroccan midfielder Bilal El Khannouss, who currently plays for the Belgian team Genk. “El Khannouss is emerging as the front-runner to bolster Atletico Madrid’s midfield,” according to a report published on Monday by the Spanish sports outlet “AS.”
“Bilal El Khannouss, 19 years old, is the player best positioned to reinforce Diego Simeone’s midfield,” stated the journal.
As the youngest player of the Atlas Lions squad at the Qatar World Cup–where Morocco of course demonstrated a stunning revival–his achievements with Genk have certainly placed the spotlight squarely on his athletic prowess. Presently, he is playing for Morocco in the African Cup of Nations 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire.
Despite interest from other major European clubs such as AS Roma, Liverpool, Tottenham, Leipzig, S.L. Benfica, and Galatasaray, Atletico Madrid appears to have taken the lead in the race for the Moroccan superstar.
“AS” detailed that the red and white club is optimistic about securing the midfielder’s services by the end of January.
Bilal’s probable transfer to Los Colchoneros (The Mattress Makers) is viewed as a crafty move which would enhance the midfield structure of the club, while providing captain Koke much-needed relief.