Elye Wahi is keen to join Chelsea ahead of other suitors like Tottenham or Arsenal, as Montpellier hold out for €35 million for the striker.
According to L’Equipe, Elye Wahi wants to join Chelsea after Montpellier rejected an offer from the London side for the striker. After a stellar season where he scored 19 goals, the 20-year-old has come in for heavy demand, with Arsenal and Tottenham also keen.
The race for Elye Wahi is a bit complicated despite many clubs expressing an interest in signing the 20-year-old. After a Ligue 1 season in which he scored 19 goals, the forward has put himself on the map of some of the biggest Premier League sides.
A move to the Premier League may feel enticing, but the striker is keen to choose the right project for his career. For reasons unknown, he views Chelsea as the ideal destination to further his development, even though the Blues do not want to incorporate the 20-year-old in the upcoming season.
Having made a verbal offer some time back, Chelsea reportedly submitted an official bid worth €27.5 million, which Montpellier rejected without thinking twice. The French side continues to hold out for €35 million, which Chelsea seems reluctant to pay at this moment.
Chelsea are keen to sign him and then loan him elsewhere. Many reports have suggested Wahi could return to France and feature for Blue Co’s other club Strasbourg. The idea of interchanging players within the same ownership has come under scrutiny, with arrival Angelo Gabriel also expected to move there.
While Wahi harbours ambitions of playing for a top side, he remains intent on joining Chelsea despite the loan condition. He is ready to reject the overtures of Tottenham and Arsenal. Both north London sides were keen, but there are complications.
Inter Milan are negotiating with Arsenal for Folarin Balogun, and the Gunners will only look at Wahi if the American striker leaves. Moreover, there’s a tall pecking order at the Emirates, with Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and new signing Kai Havertz all likely to remain ahead of Balogun or Wahi.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are ready to make an offer, but any move will depend on Harry Kane’s departure. Even if the England captain stays, the pecking order remains steep for Wahi to climb now. Hence, he might prefer to join Chelsea, where they have laid out a clear path for his development.
The theory here is that Wahi would play next season with Strasbourg and return in 2024 with more experience. Hence, he might open his doors for a move to Stamford Bridge but will hope Chelsea agrees with Montpellier to seal the transfer.
