Arsenal signing agreed with ‘remarkable’ Florian Wirtz clone as Gunners respond to Liverpool

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 21 Jun 2025 12:11 BST
• 10 min read

News

Arsenal are expected to sign Martin Zubimendi imminently, but Mikel Arteta’s side could swiftly follow that first transfer with a second completed deal.

The Gunners are seeking to strengthen in several areas this summer, with an attacking midfield a major target along with a centre forward as Arteta aims to provide more depth to his squad as well as competition for Martin Odegaard.

Slow progress has been made compared to the Gunners’ top rivals for the Premier League, with champions Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all making strong transfer headway.

According to a report from Africafoot, that is about to change as Arsenal are closing in on a move for Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss.

Current ETV

Bilal El Khannouss

AM, M (C)

Bilal El Khannouss

AM, M (C)

€40.9M

ETV Range

€36.8M - €44.9M

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It is claimed that the “remarkable” performances of El Khannouss, who is 21, over the course of the last year have attracted numerous clubs in the Premier League and abroad. The player wishes to remain in England.

“According to a reliable source, El Khannouss has reached a definitive agreement with Leicester for his departure this summer,” Africafoot writes.

“Arsenal are currently the club closes to signing him. Mikel Arteta firmly believes in his potential and thinks he can become a key part of his midfield.

“An agreement has been reached between Arsenal and the player’s agent. The Gunners must not match Leicester’s financial demands to finalise the transfer.”

It is unclear what the Foxes are set to demand in terms of a transfer fee, but his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) is €41m.

Bilal El Khannouss: One for the future in North London

El Khannouss is a logical long-term replacement for Martin Odegaard at Arsenal and offers a similar profile to the Norway international star.

According to data analytics experts SciSports, he more closely resembles new Liverpool signing Florian Wirtz or Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham in terms of his style of play.

El Khannouss vs Florian Wirtz: Playing style

There is, however, a significant difference in quality between the players. El Khannouss is very much a player for the future, with SciSports indicating that he is not yet of the standard of an Arsenal standard.

At his peak, the experts believe that El Khannouss can reach a level similar to that of Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes or Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.

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