After Brennan Johnson, another Everton target is now keen to join Crystal Palace as well

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Everton have already missed out on a transfer target this month.

The Toffees were keen to sign Brennan Johnson from Tottenham, before the Wales international opted to stay in London and seal a £35m move to Crystal Palace instead.

Now, the south Londoners are in a strong position to beat Everton to another target in Zakaria El Ouahdi.

Zakaria El Ouahdi wants to join Crystal Palace despite interest from Everton

The Evening Standard now believe the Morocco international is eager to seal a move to Selhurst Park this winter, despite Everton wanting to bring the 24-year-old to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

It comes just hours after Ed Aarons of the Guardian revealed that Crystal Palace were progressing with a deal for El Ouahdi – who could leave Genk for just £12m this month.

The Genk No.77 already knows Daniel Munoz, who he played alongside for the Belgian giants, while there is also another familiar face for him at Selhurst Park in Chadi Riad, a fellow Morocco international.

Therefore, Everton might struggle to convince El Ouahdi – who has a keen eye for goal – to ignore Crystal Palace, but there is one key factor that cannot be ignored.

Everton can offer Zakaria El Ouahdi the chance to be first choice, whereas Crystal Palace just want depth

Crucially, Everton are desperate for a natural right-back option, having relied on a central defender to fill that gap so far this season in Jake O’Brien.

Could Nathan Patterson have offered Everton more from right-back than Jake O’Brien? 🤔

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Therefore, Everton could convince El Ouahdi to move to Merseyside by promising him an immediate spot in the starting XI – something Crystal Palace are not working towards.

With the aforementioned Munoz currently injured, and his deputy Nathaniel Clyne also in the treatment room, the Eagles sound like they just want someone to cover the gap.

Munoz is the undisputed first choice under Oliver Glasner and is also one of the best right-backs in the entire Premier League, so El Ouahdi would most likely have to settle for a spot on the bench when the Colombian is fit again in a few weeks.

At Everton – however – the Moroccan has the chance to become an immediate regular under David Moyes.