Milan Pursue Zakaria El Ouahdi as Right-Back Option

Milan have turned their attention to Morocco international Zakaria El Ouahdi as they search for a new right-back this summer, with the Genk defender now among the frontrunners to fill the role.

Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio reports that the Serie A side are closely studying a move for El Ouahdi as they prepare for the imminent departure of Atekami, who is on the verge of joining Olympique Lyon. The right side of Milan’s defence is being reshaped, and the 23-year-old has moved high on their list.

Born in 2001, El Ouahdi has already attracted serious interest elsewhere. PSV Eindhoven were previously linked with the Moroccan, with several reports highlighting coach Peter Bosz’s push to bring him to the Eredivisie in this window. Milan have now stepped into that race.

Genk, though, are not in the mood to bargain. The Belgian club value El Ouahdi at between 13 and 15 million euros and are standing firm on that price, showing no sign so far that they are ready to soften their stance or rush a sale.

Milan have not yet put an official offer on the table, but the intent is clear and the interest is described as concrete. If the deal progresses, El Ouahdi would become the second major Genk talent to make a big move this summer, following Konstantinos Karetsas, who joined Borussia Dortmund in a transfer worth around 35 million euros.

Genk have already shown they can sell big. Milan now have to decide whether El Ouahdi is worth pushing that bit harder for.