On Sunday, Belgian journalist Bob Faesen reported Leicester City will hold talks with KRC Genk for Bilal El Khannouss, after their offer of €15-20m was turned down.
Monday’s edition of Het Belang van Limburg claims the Foxes’ initial bid arrived on Saturday.
The Jupiler Pro League side are waiting to find out whether Leicester will return with an improved offer.
El Khannouss’ deal lasts until 2027, and this puts the Belgian club in a ‘strong position’ to negotiate his sale.
It’s claimed they want the 20-year-old to be their club-record sale, surpassing the €25m they collected from Sander Berge’s sale to Sheffield United in 2020. HBVL say there’s expectation for this record to be broken this week.
Journalist Sacha Tavolieri claims there’s ‘big tension’ in the deal to take El Khannouss to the King Power Stadium.
Steve Cooper’s side have made a second offer of €18m plus €3m bonuses. However, Genk sporting director Dimitri De Condé refused to meet the player and his entourage.
Therefore, the Morocco international will inform Genk manager Thorsten Fink that he won’t take part in training today.
Leicester ‘will not give up’ on the attacking midfielder and are expected to make a third offer in the next few hours. If HBVL’s report is to be believed, the Foxes have to raise their offer over €25m plus bonuses.
That, frankly, feels too much given there’s not exactly a battle ongoing with other clubs.