The decisive factor for Bilal El Khannouss to reject a lucrative offer from Al Ittihad and remain at Stuttgart was the opportunity to play in the Champions League, according to Bild. The Saudi club made an offer of 40 million euros for El Khannouss. It is stated that at Al Ittihad he could have earned at least double his current salary.

Sky first reported that Saudi club Al Ittihad submitted a 40 million euro offer to VfB Stuttgart for Bilal El Khannouss. The club, which is managed by German coach Jens Wissing, made significant efforts to sign the Moroccan World Cup participant but was unsuccessful. VfB Stuttgart would have been willing to let El Khannouss leave at a late stage. El Khannouss declined the move directly, stating he did not have a great desire to join the Saudi club, despite the fact that he could have earned at least double his current salary. On his way to training, El Khannouss told BILD that he was staying and that everything was decided.

Al Ittihad submitted a €40 million offer to VfB Stuttgart for Bilal El Khannouss during the night between Monday and Tuesday. The Saudi club had approached Stuttgart as they searched for a replacement for Moussa Diaby. Bild confirmed the report and added that VfB would likely have accepted the bid if the sale of Chema had not already occurred. For El Khannouss, the transfer would have meant he would earn double his salary. The 22-year-old Moroccan attacking midfielder, who also holds Belgian nationality, rejected the move, which prevented the transfer from happening. Earlier in the summer, Newcastle United and Galatasaray had also shown interest in the player. The transfer window in Saudi Arabia closes on October 12. El Khannouss joined Stuttgart on July 1, 2026, and his contract is valid until June 30, 2030. He has 43 caps and 3 goals for Morocco. His current Transfermarkt market value is €35.00m.