Palace move for Genk’s El Ouahdi to plug Munoz gap

Crystal Palace have set their sights on Genk’s Zakaria El Ouahdi, opening dialogue over a January move to shore up the right flank while Daniel Munoz recovers. No bid has landed yet, but the mood music suggests this could gather pace quickly if the numbers align.

The state of play

Palace have sounded out Genk about El Ouahdi and are mulling whether to push the button on a formal offer. The Belgian club aren’t digging their heels in this month and will consider sensible proposals. Expectation is that anything above the €10m mark, coupled with the player’s desire to test himself in the Premier League, could bring everyone to the table.

Why El Ouahdi fits

The 24-year-old is a manager’s dream for flexibility: primarily a right-back or wing-back, comfortable on the left, and he’s even been used higher up. Capped by Morocco at senior level and also eligible for Belgium, he started all six matches at left-back for Morocco’s Under-23s at the Paris 2024 Olympics, helping them to bronze. This season he’s chalked up 20 outings for Genk, six of those in Europe, mostly at right-back. Analysts across the continent have talked up his all-round game, and you can see why.

There’s also a neat bit of symmetry here: El Ouahdi has been Genk’s first-choice right-back since Munoz departed for Selhurst Park in January 2024 for close to £7m. Now Palace are eyeing the man who filled that very vacancy.

Munoz absence and the Eagles’ problem to solve

Munoz, 29, underwent knee surgery in December and is sidelined for a short spell yet. He’s been immense this term — 23 appearances, four goals, two assists — and Palace’s build-up down the right has clearly missed his thrust. Bringing in El Ouahdi now would cover the Colombian’s absence and, longer term, create proper competition for minutes.

Market moves: what else is on the radar?

Palace have already made a statement by smashing their club-record fee to bring Brennan Johnson in from Tottenham for around £35m, upgrading the frontline. A wing-back remains a priority, and there’s an eye on central midfield too. As for alternatives at full-back, sources indicate there’s no active pursuit of Bayern Munich’s Sacha Boey at present, while the scouting net also stretches across Europe’s top five leagues.

Up top, the Eagles are tracking 19-year-old Angers prospect Sidiki Cherif, though any move may hinge on whether another attacker is truly needed after the Johnson investment.

Pundit’s view: smart business if the price is right

El Ouahdi ticks boxes: pace, versatility, and a habit of standing up in European fixtures. He won’t break the bank, he wants the move, and he suits a side that likes its full-backs on the front foot. If Palace can strike close to that €10m–€12m corridor, it looks a tidy piece of January business — cover now, competition later.

If you’re weighing the odds on Palace’s next move, have a look at the best betting sites for a wider market view before deadline day drama kicks off.

What happens next

Palace must decide whether to accelerate and lodge a formal proposal. Genk’s stance is pragmatic, and with El Ouahdi keen, momentum can build quickly in a winter window. Over to the Eagles’ recruitment team — get the numbers right and this one feels very doable.