It’s no secret that Newcastle United have been casting their net wide this summer.
In a window shaped by Financial Fair Play constraints and lingering uncertainty around the futures of key attackers, the club’s recruitment team is under pressure to unearth value and vision in equal measure.
Even with a midfield trio of Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, Newcastle still lack a true creator – someone who can connect midfield to attack, unlock defences, and provide the unexpected.
While Eddie Howe’s midfield has often leaned on structure and industry, typified by Sean Longstaff, it has lacked the spontaneous, technical spark of a true number ten.
With ambitions of European consistency and attacking evolution, the Magpies appear to be monitoring a player who might just fill that void.
A player, some believe, who has echoes of one of St James’ Park’s most dazzling and divisive cult heroes.
Newcastle looking at new attacking midfielder
TBR Football report that Newcastle United are seriously tracking Bilal El Khannouss, the 21-year-old Moroccan international who joined Leicester City last year in a £21m switch from Genk.
Despite Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League, El Khannouss was one of the few creative bright sparks in a disjointed side – with Pep Guardiola even praising his performance during a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.
A technically gifted, versatile attacking midfielder who can also operate off the left, El Khannouss contributed two goals and three assists in 32 Premier League appearances, solid numbers considering the Foxes’ overall struggles.
Still under contract at Leicester until 2028, he is expected to move this summer, with several top-flight clubs circling.
Tottenham and Arsenal are both keen, while Crystal Palace have also registered interest.
Abroad, the likes of RB Leipzig, Monaco, Atalanta, Valencia and Eintracht Frankfurt are all keeping close tabs.
Graeme Bailey, Chief Correspondent at TBR Football, called El Khannouss “a fascinating player – very similar to Rayan Cherki in terms of talent. Many clubs rate him as one of the finest technicians of his generation.”
Analyst Ben Mattinson also labelled him “a sensational prospect,” praising his ability to influence the game across multiple zones.
A modern echo of Ben Arfa
For many Newcastle fans, Hatem Ben Arfa remains one of the most naturally gifted footballers to wear the shirt in the last two decades.
An enigma with close control and flair, he could humiliate defenders, bend the narrative of a match in his favour, and bring the stadium to life with a single flick or feint.
His mazy solo goals – like the ones against Bolton and Blackburn – live long in Geordie folklore.
But with genius came inconsistency. Ben Arfa often clashed with managers, lacked tactical discipline, and was eventually moved on despite his cult status.
In contrast, El Khannouss offers a more modern, structured version of the same creative promise.
According to data from FBref, he ranks in the 98th percentile for successful take-on percentage (56.7%), and in the 79th percentile for progressive passes per 90 (5.28) among positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues, signs of a player confident in carrying and distributing the ball under pressure.
He’s also gritty defensively: in the 91st percentile for tackles per 90 (2.06), and 98th percentile for midfield third tackles.
It’s a rare blend: creativity and craft paired with commitment out of possession.
He won’t make highlight reels as often, but his game is built to thrive in today’s Premier League: tactically aware, comfortable between the lines, and productive in transition.
Where Ben Arfa relied on moments of brilliance, El Khannouss’ game is about sustained influence.
His 170.06 progressive passing yards per 90 (90th percentile) and 88th percentile for midfield third touches (27.02) suggest a player comfortable dictating tempo.
There’s also maturity to El Khannouss that bodes well. With 22 senior caps for Morocco, including an appearance at the 2022 World Cup, he’s already tested himself against elite opposition.
At 21, he’s younger than Ben Arfa was when he joined Newcastle, but arguably more tactically complete.
If Newcastle were to secure his signature, it would signal a shift. Not just in terms of style, but in identity. A willingness to take risks on creative players again, but with a tighter structure and clearer development path than in the days of Ben Arfa.
For all of Newcastle’s recent success under Howe, they’ve often missed a chaos agent since the departure of Allan Saint-Maximin.
El Khannouss, if he fulfils his potential, could be that player, but with the consistency and control that Ben Arfa never quite managed.
At St James’ Park, there’s a growing sense that this Moroccan might just be the evolution, not imitation, of their former French maverick.
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