The race is heating up for KRC Genk's standout right-back, Zakaria El Ouahdi, with French heavyweights Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique de Marseille reportedly locked in a transfer battle. According to Voetbalnieuws, the 24-year-old Moroccan international has also caught the eye of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, setting the stage for a intriguing summer pursuit.

El Ouahdi's stock has soared since his move to Genk in 2023 for just €2.5 million from RWDM. Now valued at around €15 million, the defender recently added to his growing reputation by winning the prestigious Ébène Trophy, awarded to the best African or African-born player in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. With a contract running through 2028, Genk are in a strong negotiating position.

This season, El Ouahdi has been an ever-present force for Nicky Hayen's side, starting all 41 matches he's featured in. His attacking output from the back has been nothing short of remarkable: 12 goals and five assists, a tally that would make many forwards envious. On the international stage, the Antwerp-born defender has already earned two caps for Morocco, including playing a role in the Atlas Lions' impressive 2-1 victory over Paraguay last March.

Whether he ends up in Ligue 1's iconic rivalry between Lyon and Marseille or takes his talents to the Eredivisie, one thing is clear: El Ouahdi is a rising star with the versatility and drive to make an immediate impact at the next level.