AC Milan consider Genk defender Zakaria El Ouahdi as right-back target

AC Milan are considering a move for Genk and Morocco defender Zakaria El Ouahdi, in what could become the 24-year-old’s career-defining transfer. The Serie A club have identified the right-back as one of the players who could strengthen their squad on the right side, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

AC Milan are preparing for the expected departure of Zachary Athekame to Lyon and are assessing several possible replacements. El Ouahdi is understood to be among the serious options under consideration, although no formal offer has yet been made.

Genk are reportedly looking for between 13m and 15m euros before agreeing to sell the Morocco international.

A move to AC Milan would represent a significant step up for El Ouahdi after two productive seasons in Belgium. Although the seven-time European champions are no longer the dominant force they were during the 1990s and 2000s, they remain one of football’s major institutions and regularly compete in European competition.

The Italian club could also offer El Ouahdi a considerably bigger platform than Genk, who followed a fifth-place finish in the previous Belgian campaign. The defender’s performances last season have helped attract attention, particularly because of his attacking contribution.

El Ouahdi scored eight goals and provided four assists in the Belgian league. He also found the net four times and supplied one assist in the Europa League. Those numbers are notable for a player who stands 1.71m tall and can operate either as a conventional right-back in a back four or as a wing-back.

His progress has also changed his position within the Morocco squad.

For a long period, El Ouahdi struggled for regular international opportunities under Walid Regragui because of strong competition for the position. Since Mohamed Ouahbi took charge, however, he has gradually established himself as the leading deputy to Achraf Hakimi.

El Ouahdi was included in Morocco’s squad for the 2026 World Cup and played the final 16 minutes of the quarter-final against France. The tournament further confirmed his place within the national-team group and strengthened his belief that the time may be right for a fresh challenge.

He had already spoken about wanting to take the next step after the World Cup. However, family circumstances had previously led him to turn down some transfer opportunities so that he could remain close to his father, who was suffering from leukaemia.

“I wasn’t going to leave far away while my dad was fighting leukaemia,” El Ouahdi said in 2025.

His father’s improving health may now allow the defender to consider a move with greater peace of mind. El Ouahdi had also indicated before the World Cup that he was open to the possibility of transferring.

At 24, the timing appears favourable for a player who has developed both domestically and internationally. A move from Genk to AC Milan would give him the chance to compete at a higher level every week and test himself in one of Europe’s most prominent leagues.

Should the deal go ahead, it could prove to be the move that changes the direction of El Ouahdi’s career.