Crystal Palace and Everton will need to start at €15m if they wish to sign Zakaria El Ouahadi from Genk this summer.
That’s according to Africa Foot. The website reports that Genk have put a €15m asking price on the 24-year-old this summer.
According to their information, obtained from a source very close to the player, Ouahadi is heading towards a departure in the summer transfer window.
He’s on the radar of several ‘ambitious’ European clubs. In fact, negotiations are beginning to take concrete form.
VfB Stuttgart are closely monitoring the player’s profile, while Crystal Palace and Everton have expressed genuine interest.
€15m asking price
Sport Witness have covered reports on their interest over the last few months. One such report today stated that Crystal Palace were lining up a summer move.
That followed a similar report last month which put the Eagles and Everton in the mix for the defender’s signature.
According to Africa Foot’s source, Genk have set their asking price at €15m. The player, for his part, has informed the Belgian club of his intention to change clubs. He wants to take the next step in his career.
His focus is on making the right step, though. A ‘very attractive offer’ has arrived from a Russian club, but he is not interested in that.
PSV Eindhoven competition
Everton and Crystal Palace need to move quickly, though. That’s because PSV Eindhoven have intensified their efforts in recent weeks.
In fact, the Dutch club have already contacted El Ouahadi’s representatives to explore the conditions of a transfer.
Indeed, his father, who manages his affairs, is said to have welcomed the idea of a move to the Eredivisie.
That suggests Crystal Palace and Everton may need to step up their interest sooner rather than later.
At €15m, El Ouahadi could be something of a bargain. It surely won’t be a price that stops either side from making further efforts given their longstanding interest.