Manchester United have reportedly joined the race to sign the highly-rated Genk midfielder Bilal El Khannous, who has been on the radar of Premier League rivals Liverpool in recent times.
The 19-year-old has become a first-team regular in Wouter Vrancken's side, starting 66 of his 76 appearances for the club since the start of the 2022-23 campaign.
The teenager earned the Belgian Pro League's 2022 Best Young Player award ahead of Maxim De Cuyper from Westerlo and Antwerp's Arthur Vermeeren.
El Khannous's impressive performances for his club have also led to him breaking into the Moroccan national team, making his debut for the Atlas Lions at the World Cup in Qatar.
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Liverpool, among other clubs, have been linked with a move for El Khannouss this month, and according to Football Transfers, Man United are now the latest side to join the race to sign the talented teenager.
The report adds that United's new part-owners, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS group, are eager to emphasise youth development as a key aspect of their recruitment strategy.
It is understood that Genk have set a value of between £22m and £26m for their academy product.
If Genk sell the teenager for the reported asking fee, it would represent a new club record, surpassing the £21m they received for Sander Berge, who was snapped up by Sheffield United.
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However, the Red Devils are believed to be restricted in terms of the deals they can make this month due to Financial Fair Play regulations and will likely have to offload a few existing players in order to bring in fresh faces.
El Khannous, born in Brussels, made the move to Genk's youth system from Anderlecht in 2019 and put pen to paper on his first professional contract the following year. His current deal with the Belgian Pro League outfit runs until June 2027.
Recognised for his versatility, El Khannous predominantly plays as an advanced playmaker but is equally comfortable playing in a deeper role or out on the wing.
The Moroccan international made his first appearance for the club in May 2022, shortly after his 18th birthday, and has notched up four goals in his 76 appearances.
Last year, El Khannous, who now has 10 caps for Morocco under his belt, was also nominated for the African Young Player of the Year award.
Devesh Jaganath
