Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Danny Wright

Wed 7 January 2026 17:22, UK Updated Wed 7 January 2026 17:38, UK

Everton have made a slow start to the winter transfer window.

Although there has been some recent discontent about the way the team is performing under David Moyes, Everton are one of the 11 Premier League clubs yet to welcome any new faces since the start of January.

Harrison Armstrong has been recalled from his loan spell at Preston, with Martin Sherif also returning from Rotherham amid a bit of a selection crisis at the Hill Dickinson Stadium thanks to injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations.

While Moyes’ future as Everton’s manager isn’t under any serious threat, adding to the squad will no doubt appease fans who are eager to see the Blues getting back into the top half of the Premier League table and showing they can challenge for a spot in Europe next season.

Everton face Crystal Palace challenge for Zakaria El Ouahdi

One of the most obvious signings that Everton need to complete in January is a right-back.

With Seamus Coleman injured, Nathan Patterson out of the picture and Jake O’Brien struggling to add anything going forward when he’s played at right-back, Moyes absolutely has to spend some money on strengthening that area of his squad.

According to Guardian Sport journalist Ed Aarons, Genk and Morocco right-back Zakaria El Ouahdi is an option for the Toffees.

However, there’s a catch.

Zakaria El Ouahdi factfile:

• Date of birth: 31 December 2001 (age 24)
• Place of birth: Hoboken, Belgium
• Position: Right-back, right-winger
• Current club: Genk
• Former clubs: Beerschot VAC, Zulte Waregem, Manchester IFA, K Berchem Sport, K Rupel Boom, RWD Molenbeek
• International career: One cap for Morocco

Aarons claims that Crystal Palace are progressing in talks to sign the Belgium-born 24-year-old, who has one cap for Morocco and missed out on their squad for the current AFCON tournament.

It means that with Everton also interested in him, they’d have to hijack Palace’s talks and strike a deal of their own.

Genk are likely to accept a £12million offer for El Ouahdi after signing him from RWD Molenbeek for around £2m in September 2023.

The right-back has made 20 appearances in all competitions for Genk this season, scoring four goals and supplying two assists.

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What El Ouadhi has said about his future amid speculation

In the summer, El Ouadhi was linked with a move to Ligue 1 after an impressive campaign at Genk.

As per stats by Sofascore, he finished the 2024-25 season with an average rating of 7.19 in the Belgian Pro League, ranking him 11th for the season out of all defenders.

Although his rating this season has dipped to 6.93, El Ouadhi has remained a target for Premier League clubs.

However, those clubs might want to take note of what the Moroccan said about his future at Genk in the summer.

“I’m a Genk player, that’s all I know. I’m not aware of anything else. I’m focused on my season here, and I feel good,” he said.

“My chances of staying? I’d say 99.9 per cent . There’s nothing concrete at the moment.

“Hearing the fans sing for me gives me tremendous confidence. That’s also why I want to stay.”

Clearly, El Ouadhi is a player who has a huge amount of respect for Genk.

However, with his form not as good as last season, Premier League clubs knocking on the door and Genk stuck in mid-table in Belgium, there’s every chance that he could change his mind in the coming days and weeks.