Crystal Palace have entered discussions with Genk regarding a potential move for Zakaria El Ouahdi as they look to provide cover for Daniel Munoz, GIVEMESPORT understands.
The Eagles are keen on El Ouahdi and have opened dialogue with the Belgian Pro League outfit, although no official bid has yet been submitted for the 24-year-old. Genk are open to a sale this month and are prepared to consider offers exceeding €10million.
El Ouahdi is believed to be keen on securing a Premier League move during the winter window. However, Palace are still assessing whether to push forward with negotiations and lodge a formal proposal.
A Versatile Option:
The Morocco international, who has earned one senior cap and is also eligible to represent Belgium, is comfortable operating on either flank as a wing-back and has also been deployed further forward.
Palace are assessing alternative options across Europe’s top five leagues but are not actively chasing Bayern Munich defender Sacha Boey at this stage.
El Ouahdi featured for Morocco’s Under-23 side at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, starting all six fixtures at left-back as they claimed a bronze medal finish. Despite making his senior international debut in 2025, he was omitted from Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations squad.
The defender has registered 20 appearances for Genk this campaign — including six in European competition — with most of those outings coming at right-back. Genk currently occupy ninth place in the Belgian top flight.
He has been Genk’s preferred right-back since Munoz completed his move to Palace in January 2024 for around £7million and has earned praise as being ‘superb’ and ‘complete’ from analyst Jacek Kulig.
Crystal Palace Want Munoz Cover:
Palace are searching for short-term cover and a long-term successor for 29-year-old Munoz, who underwent knee surgery in December 2025 and is expected to remain sidelined for a few more weeks.
Munoz has featured 23 times for the Eagles this season, netting four goals and registering two assists, and remains crucial to Palace’s tactical setup. His absence has exposed clear weaknesses down the right flank.
The Colombian international scored twice during Palace’s FA Cup triumph last season and provided the assist for Eberechi Eze’s winning goal in the final. He has made 85 appearances for the club since arriving in January 2024.
Cherif also targeted:
Palace have already shattered their club-record transfer fee this month by signing Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur for £35million to bolster their attacking options. Reinforcements at wing-back remain a priority, while a central midfield addition is also being considered.
The Eagles are also keeping tabs on 19-year-old Angers forward Sidiki Cherif, though a decision has yet to be made on whether to pursue another attacking signing after the significant investment in Johnson.