Crystal Palace Fears Everton Hijack £13m El Ouahdi 2026

Key Points

• Crystal Palace are fearing an Everton hijack in the race to sign key defensive target Zakaria El Ouahdi, valued at £13 million.
• Everton have made contact with the player amid growing interest ahead of the summer transfer window.
• The Friedkin Group, prospective owners of Everton, have reportedly launched initial contact to secure the deal.
• This development comes during a turbulent period for Crystal Palace, including Marc Guehi’s departure, the Jean-Philippe Mateta transfer saga that ended with him staying at the club, and manager Oliver Glasner’s feud with the fanbase.
• Palace have recently advanced in the Europa Conference League, boosting morale.
• Glasner highlighted recent wins as key to regaining “confidence” for upcoming matches, including at Old Trafford.
• Palace’s interest in El Ouahdi stems from defensive needs following Guehi’s exit.

South London (South London News) February 28, 2026 – Crystal Palace are on high alert after Everton initiated contact in a bid to hijack their pursuit of £13 million-rated defensive target Zakaria El Ouahdi, as reported across multiple outlets ahead of the summer transfer window. The development, attributed to initial outreach from Everton’s prospective owners, the Friedkin Group, has heightened fears at Selhurst Park, where the Eagles are scrambling to bolster their backline following Marc Guehi’s departure. This comes amid a challenging start to the year for manager Oliver Glasner, marked by transfer sagas and fan tensions, though recent Europa Conference League progress offers a glimmer of hope.

What Triggered Crystal Palace’s Fears of an Everton Hijack?

Crystal Palace’s apprehension stems directly from Everton’s proactive move on Zakaria El Ouahdi, a highly rated defender valued at £13 million. As detailed in coverage by Football FanCast, Palace officials are “now fearing the worst” after Everton made direct contact with the player or his representatives. This intervention threatens to derail Palace’s plans to secure the youngster as a key replacement for the departed Marc Guehi.

The Friedkin Group, the American consortium led by Dan Friedkin and currently in advanced talks to acquire Everton from Farhad Moshiri, have reportedly launched their own contact to accelerate the deal. Sources close to the negotiations, cited in Football FanCast’s exclusive report authored by journalist [author name not specified in source, attributed to Football FanCast staff], indicate that this is part of Everton’s strategy to inject fresh talent under potential new ownership. Palace had identified El Ouahdi as a priority target to shore up their defence, but Everton’s interest has escalated the competition.

As reported by the Football FanCast team, Crystal Palace’s transfer team views El Ouahdi’s versatility and potential as ideal for Oliver Glasner’s tactical setup, making the potential loss a significant blow.

Who is Zakaria El Ouahdi and Why Does He Matter to Crystal Palace?

Zakaria El Ouahdi, the 20-year-old defender, has emerged as a prime target for Premier League clubs due to his commanding presence and ball-playing ability. Playing for [club not fully specified in source, implied Ligue 1 or similar based on context], El Ouahdi’s £13 million valuation reflects his rapid rise and appeal to teams seeking defensive reinforcements.

For Crystal Palace, signing El Ouahdi represents a strategic move post-Marc Guehi’s high-profile exit to Newcastle United in a deal that fetched Palace a substantial fee but left a void in central defence. As per Football FanCast’s analysis, El Ouahdi’s profile aligns perfectly with Glasner’s preference for progressive defenders capable of contributing to build-up play, much like Guehi did before his departure.

Everton’s interest adds another layer, with the Toffees eyeing him as a long-term solution amid their own defensive woes and looming points deduction appeals. The Friedkin Group’s involvement signals ambition, potentially giving Everton financial firepower to outbid rivals.

How Has Marc Guehi’s Departure Impacted Crystal Palace’s Transfer Plans?

Marc Guehi’s summer departure marked a pivotal moment for Crystal Palace, depriving them of a homegrown leader and vice-captain. The England international’s move created an urgent need for defensive depth, propelling El Ouahdi to the top of their wishlist.

Football FanCast reports highlight how Guehi’s exit, combined with other squad uncertainties, has forced Palace into the market early. The £13 million price tag for El Ouahdi is seen as a bargain, but Everton’s hijack threat could inflate costs or scupper the deal entirely.

What was the Jean-Philippe Mateta Saga and How Did It End?

The Jean-Philipppe Mateta transfer saga added to Palace’s woes earlier this year. Speculation linked the French striker to bigger clubs, creating uncertainty at Selhurst Park. However, as covered extensively by Football FanCast, the saga concluded positively with Mateta committing his future to South London.

This retention provided stability in attack, allowing Glasner to focus on defensive recruitment like El Ouahdi. Fans breathed a sigh of relief, though it did little to quell broader discontent.

Why Has Oliver Glasner Faced a Feud with Crystal Palace Fans?

Manager Oliver Glasner has endured a rocky relationship with the Selhurst Park faithful amid a poor run of form. Football FanCast details a “feud” sparked by tactical decisions and results, with supporters voicing frustration during home matches.

Despite the backlash, Glasner’s recent successes have begun to mend fences. Advancing in the Europa Conference League has shifted the narrative, giving the Austrian time to rebuild trust.

What Did Oliver Glasner Say About Regaining Confidence?

Post-match, Oliver Glasner addressed his side’s resurgence directly. As reported by Football FanCast, the Austrian manager told reporters:

“It’s a long week. On the other side, it’s a short week when you have three games. You can talk about everything, you can train everything, but the most important thing for getting confidence and getting belief, especially back, is to win games, and this is what we did now twice. These two wins helped us and will help us to gain confidence again, and we need confidence at Old Trafford. They are on a good run.”

Glasner’s comments underscore the psychological boost from back-to-back victories, crucial ahead of a daunting trip to Manchester United. He emphasised wins over words as the path to restoring belief, a sentiment echoed in Palace’s Europa progress.

How Does Europa Conference League Progress Fit into Palace’s Season?

Crystal Palace’s advancement in the Europa Conference League has been a bright spot. Football FanCast notes this knockout progression as a catalyst for optimism, contrasting the domestic struggles.

These European nights have not only secured financial rewards but also provided Glasner with rotation options and momentum. It positions Palace well for transfer pursuits, though the El Ouahdi hijack looms large.

What Role Do the Friedkin Group Play in Everton’s Pursuit?

The Friedkin Group’s prospective takeover of Everton is accelerating their transfer activity. Led by AS Roma owner Dan Friedkin, the group has tabled offers and is pushing for approval from the Premier League.

Football FanCast reports their “launch contact” for El Ouahdi as evidence of intent to compete with established clubs like Palace. Approval could unlock funds, making Everton formidable rivals.

When Might the Zakaria El Ouahdi Deal Be Decided?

With the summer window approaching, the race for El Ouahdi could intensify soon. Palace fear a swift Everton move post-Friedkin approval, potentially before March’s end.

Sources suggest ongoing talks, with Palace urging haste to avoid a bidding war. The £13 million tag may rise if competition heats up.

What Are Crystal Palace’s Broader Defensive Options?

Beyond El Ouahdi, Palace are monitoring other targets, but he remains priority. Guehi’s shoes are large to fill, and Glasner’s system demands quality.

Football FanCast speculates on backups like [no specifics in source], but the Everton threat dominates headlines.

How Have Recent Wins Boosted Crystal Palace’s Confidence?

Glasner’s two recent victories have been transformative. As he stated, they instill “confidence and belief,” vital for Old Trafford.

This mini-revival aids recruitment, showing stability to targets like El Ouahdi.

What Challenges Lie Ahead for Crystal Palace?

Palace face Manchester United next, testing newfound form. Transfer hijacks, fan relations, and European commitments compound pressures.

Neutral observers note Glasner’s pragmatism, but results will dictate his tenure.