Chelsea see bid REJECTED for Mbappe goal rival

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 26 Jul 2023 18:22 BST
• 2 min read

Chelsea are stepping up their pursuit of Elye Wahi after opening talks with Montpellier over signing the wonderkid striker.

Wahi netted 19 goals league goals last season and became the second-youngest player in the Ligue 1 history to reach 25 goals in the competition, having netted 10 in the previous campaign.

The 20-year-old scored more goals in Ligue 1 as a teenager than Kylian Mbappe, highlighting the potential seen in him which prompted Chelsea to make a bid of £21.5 million, including add-ons.

PROFILE: Who is Elye Wahi? Everything you need to know about Chelsea's latest transfer target

However, Montpellier were quick to reject the offer, with president Laurent Nicollin stating: “The amount proposed was not up to our expectations.”

Montpellier, who finished 12th in Ligue 1, are believed to be holding out for around £30m for their talisman, with Wahi still having two years remaining on his contract.

It is believed that Chelsea would loan Wahi out this season if a deal was agreed, with Strasbourg a likely destination after they were recently bought by Blues’ owner Todd Boehly.

Midfield still the priority for Chelsea

Chelsea are still prioritising at least one midfielder despite pushing to sign Wahi, although they are deadlocked in negotiations with Brighton for Moises Caicedo, having seen a bid of more than €75m rejected.

Brighton are thought to be holding out for a fee similar to Declan Rice’s transfer to Arsenal, which cost the Gunners £105m, however Chelsea are reluctant to meet that price.

The Blues have spent more than £100m this summer on Christipher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson and Angelo, but they have raised more than double that amount through player sales.

Romeo Lavia is still thought to be on their shortlist, although Liverpool are believed to be leading the chase for the £50m-rated Southampton midfielder.

OPTIMISM: Chelsea told there is 'high chance' of signing coveted midfielder

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino stressed the need for ‘at least’ one more midfielder, having insisted he had no desire to sell Conor Gallagher, who has been linked with a £40m move to Tottenham and West Ham.