K.R.C. Genk is selling wingback Zakaria El Ouahdi to the German Bundesliga. At the same time, a youth talent is joining PSV and new striker Rafiu Durosinmi is already receiving exit warnings following his impressive start.
Where is Zakaria El Ouahdi going?
Zakaria El Ouahdi is leaving K.R.C. Genk for Hamburger SV. HLN Voetbal reported on August 30 that both clubs agreed a transfer fee of €10 million, plus bonuses and a sell-on clause. The 24-year-old Moroccan international is undergoing his medical in Germany this week and will sign a five-year contract.
El Ouahdi spent three seasons at Genk, making 116 appearances. He scored 20 goals and provided 12 assists. After the 4-0 win over SK Beveren, he took an emotional farewell from the fans at Cegeka Arena. His departure marks Hamburg's biggest incoming transfer in a decade, where he will play as a wingback in a 3-5-2 system.
Which talent is joining PSV?
Youth player Wout Willemsen is swapping K.R.C. Genk for PSV. According to a report by Rik Elfrink in the Eindhovens Dagblad, picked up by VoetbalPrimeur.be, the 17-year-old midfielder will sign a multi-year contract in Eindhoven this week. Willemsen played mainly for Genk's Under-19 side last season and was once on the bench for Jong Genk.
It is not yet clear if he will join PSV's first team immediately or play with their youth setup. His departure follows a pattern of young players leaving Genk for foreign leagues. The club currently sits fifth in the Jupiler Pro League with seven points from four games and a +4 goal difference. They trail leaders Charleroi by five points.
Why is there a warning about Durosinmi leaving?
New striker Rafiu Durosinmi has made such a strong impression that speculation about a quick exit has already begun. Soccernet.ng reported the Nigerian scored in each of his first four league games, including two penalties. His latest goal opened the scoring in the 4-0 win over Beveren.
Former Belgian international Patrick Goots told Het Belang van Limburg that Durosinmi's transfer value has already risen by several million euros due to this start. "If he continues to storm through the Belgian league at this pace, you can be almost certain that he will leave K.R.C." Goots said. Genk signed the 23-year-old forward from Pisa for a reported record fee of €10.5 million in July, giving him a contract until 2030.
What is Genk's current situation?
These developments come as Genk prepares for its next league match against Gent on September 13. That game is at home in the Cegeka Arena. The opponent is eighth in the table. Genk's recent form is W-D-W-L. The team has scored 12 goals and conceded eight.
The departure of El Ouahdi has already been addressed with the arrival of Uruguayan Kevin Amaro. Durosinmi's performances offer hope for the attacking line. Fans can follow the current league standings and statistics on our standings and stats pages. The coming weeks are important to close the five-point gap to the top.
