Stuttgart has waved off Galatasaray‘s opening move for Bilal El Khannouss, rejecting a €22 million offer for the Moroccan midfielder as far too low. The German club made its position clear almost immediately, viewing the proposal as an insufficient reflection of the player’s current value. According to several reports, Stuttgart has no interest in negotiating around that figure and expects any serious bid to land far higher.
The offer itself was described as a first offensive from Galatasaray, part of the Turkish club’s broader push to strengthen its squad with proven Bundesliga talent. Some outlets suggest the two clubs have already opened official conversations, even if the numbers remain far apart. El Khannouss has been positioned as one of Galatasaray’s priority offensive targets this summer, but the gap between what has been offered and what Stuttgart wants makes an agreement unlikely in the short term.
Stuttgart’s demands vary depending on the source. Some reports put the asking price between €40 million and €50 million, while others claim the club wants as much as €60 million to €65 million. That inconsistency reflects how highly Stuttgart now rates the midfielder after a strong debut campaign in Germany. One account credits him with nine goals and seven assists in 41 matches across all competitions, numbers that help explain the rising valuation. El Khannouss has become one of the standout figures of the Atlas Lions generation, and his growing importance to Morocco’s national team only adds to his appeal on the transfer market.
El Khannouss’s contract situation adds further leverage for Stuttgart. He is tied to the club until 2030, and there’s no financial urgency pushing them toward a sale. Stuttgart reportedly triggered a purchase option worth between €15 million and €20 million following his previous loan spell, though other reports mention a release clause near €50 million or a market value closer to €35 million. The inconsistency between figures shows how fluid his valuation still is.
For now, Stuttgart appears comfortable holding firm. The club isn’t under pressure to sell, and with reported interest from Premier League sides also circulating, they have little incentive to lower their price. Galatasaray’s pursuit remains alive, but turning interest into an actual deal will likely require a markedly improved offer.
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