Zakaria El Ouahdi to Crystal Palace being lined up for summer transfer

Crystal Palace were keen on signing KRC Genk’s Zakaria El Ouahdi in the winter market.

That’s according to Het Laatste Nieuws, who report Crystal Palace were ‘seriously in the market’ to sign El Ouahdi in the last window.

Sport Witness covered the Premier League side’s interest in the right-back between December and January. On December 15th, we relayed news that the 24-year-old had favoured Crystal Palace over Everton.

Last month, Sport Witness covered claims from Belgium of the Eagles and the Toffees’ interest.

Later that month, the Morocco international said he’s open to making a switch to the Premier League.

Why Crystal Palace didn’t sign El Ouahdi

Oliver Glasner’s side didn’t manage to take him away from Genk in the last window.

The fullback is still at the Jupiler Pro League club despite the transfer links during the recent transfer windows.

HLN now report Benfica wanted to sign the Moroccan in 2024 but refused to offer more than €10m. VfL Wolfsburg came forward last summer, but he wasn’t keen on a move for personal reasons.

In the winter market, Crystal Palace wanted to bring El Ouahdi to Selhurst Park and were ‘serious’ about him.

This is mainly because Daniel Muñoz suffered an injury in December. This forced him to spend around 45 days on the sidelines, and his setback saw Crystal Palace show interest in El Ouahdi.

HLN state Muñoz ‘recovered faster than expected’ and therefore, the London club didn’t make an offer for El Ouahdi.

Substantial fee for summer

The report doesn’t mention Crystal Palace returning for him in the summer but does state interest in him is growing. Lyon, Marseille and PSV Eindhoven are added to his suitors list.

HLN state: ‘After three seasons, the time is ripe for the next step, but interested clubs will have to pay a substantial transfer fee.’ 

There’s no mention of the asking price, but Genk and the player plan to part ways.

Muñoz has publicly talked about his desire to leave Crystal Palace for a top club. It won’t be surprising if the Colombian attracts interest. Faced with this possibility, Crystal Palace may try to sign El Ouahdi for next season.