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'I wanted to leave and play at highest level'
Leicester Mercury
|December 16, 2025
EL KHANNOUSS HAD HOPED TO JOIN A PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB
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“I didn’t see myself staying in the Championship.
“I was aiming much higher than that, while still respecting the league.
“I wanted to play in the Premier League, in the Bundesliga, at the highest level.
“To play in European competitions, like a young player my age wants.
“I said I wanted to leave. And they told me that if everything fell into place with the deal, they would make it happen.
“In the end, towards the end of the transfer window, they must have had a bit more hope that I would stay.
“That was out of the question for me, and I told them so.
“I really couldn’t see myself staying another year at Leicester.’
The 21-year-old said there was interest from Newcastle and Crystal Palace during the window but that no club would pay his release clause.
This story is from the December 16, 2025 edition of Leicester Mercury.
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