Benfica and Porto eyeing up move for Genk’s Moroccan defender | OneFootball

Het Nieuwsblad are reporting that both Benfica and Porto are interested in signing Genk defender Zakari El Ouahdi. The 22-year-old right-back only signed for the side last summer from RWDM, having spent the 2022/2023 season in the Belgian second tier. However, after impressing with Genk he is now of interest of two giants in Portuguese football.

The defender, who can also play further forward as a right-midfielder or as an out and out winger, signed a deal until 2027 with Genk last summer. Genk spent around €2.5m to sign the player from RWDM, so will likely ask both Porto and Benfica for more. The Belgian club missed out on European football after losing to Gent in the one off game for the final European ticket. As a result, they may well have to sell a few more players than they first hoped to balance the books.

Genk are also looking for a new manager ahead of the 2024/2025 campaign.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson