Leicester winger Bilal El Khannouss has joined Stuttgart on an initial loan deal.

The 21-year-old’s move will become permanent with the Bundesliga club holding an obligation to buy.

El Khannouss cost Leicester £21m from Genk in August 2024 and made 39 appearances, scoring three times, but was unable to stop their relegation from the Premier League.

He had been left out of Marti Cifuentes’ last two matchdays squads for the wins over Charlton and Birmingham City.

Crystal Palace held a strong interest in the Morocco international but with Leicester selling Kasey McAteer to Ipswich and James Justin joining Leeds, the Foxes were under no financial pressure to sell.

Leicester had earlier signed striker Julian Carranza on loan from Feyenoord.

The 25-year-old made 30 appearances for the Rotterdam club in all competitions last term, including in the Champions League, and scored five times, having joined from MLS side Philadelphia Union last summer.

The Foxes are also pushing to sign Burnley midfielder Aaron Ramsey and Rennes’ Wales international Jordan James on loan.