Crystal Palace have now made an strategy to signal a “very good” defender, who could be open to a transfer to Selhurst Park.
Palace eager to strengthen at right-back amid curiosity in Munoz
Palace could have their work reduce out making an attempt to maintain maintain of Daniel Munoz in 2026, amid rising curiosity within the defender, with Chelsea beforehand being named as potential suitors, whereas Manchester United and Manchester Metropolis have additionally now joined the race.
Pep Guardiola is personally an admirer of the right-back, however the Eagles have made it clear they won’t sanction a departure through the January switch window, as they view him as a key participant.
Steve Parish is assured about retaining Munoz’s providers till the summer time, provided that he stays contracted till 2028, which implies there isn’t a urgent have to cash-in, however a giant supply on the finish of the season may tempt the chairman right into a sale.
As such, Crystal Palace have been taking a look at new choices at right-back, with it being revealed earlier this month that Bayern Munich’s Sacha Boey is a goal for the January switch window.
Boey just isn’t the one choice, nevertheless, with Sky Sports activities journalist Sacha Tavolieri revealing Palace have now made an strategy to signal KRC Genk’s Zakaria El Ouahdi (by way of Sport Witness), and the Belgian membership are open to a sale for a charge of round €10m – €12m (£9m – £11m).
Contact has been made with El Ouahdi’s agent, with the defender open to a transfer to Selhurst Park, though he’s a back-up choice for Boey, ought to the Eagles be unable to get a deal for the Bayern Munich ace over the road.
The correct-back has already turned down a transfer to Everton, provided that he does not wish to be a part of a membership preventing relegation, which is a bit of peculiar, contemplating the Toffees are ninth within the Premier League desk, two factors behind Oliver Glasner‘s facet.
“Excellent” El Ouahdi impressing in Belgium
The Moroccan definitely put in some eye-catching performances through the 2024-25 marketing campaign, with scout Jacek Kulig describing him as a “very good full full-back with all of the qualities wanted to play in a prime 5 league.”
Since then, the Belgium-born ace has continued to carry out, significantly impressing on the entrance foot, having chipped in with 4 objectives and one help within the Belgian Professional League this season, which is a stable tally for a defender, and he has impressed on another key metrics over the previous yr too.
|
Zakaria El Ouahdi’s key statistics |
Common per 90 (previous yr) |
|
Non-penalty objectives |
0.28 (99th percentile) |
|
Go completion % |
83.1% (87th percentile) |
|
Touches (Att pen) |
2.74 (91st percentile) |
|
Blocks |
1.56 (91st percentile) |
Muniz can be recognized for his attacking exploits, amassing 5 aim contributions within the Premier League this season, which suggests the Genk star might be a like-for-like substitute for the Colombian.
That mentioned, Palace ought to do their utmost to maintain maintain of their present right-back, provided that he has already confirmed himself in England, and El Ouahdi is but to check himself in one among Europe’s main leagues.