Elye Wahi takes decisive decision over €35m transfer

Robin Bairner

19 Aug 2023 10:53 BST
3 min read

Elye Wahi, Montpellier, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Montpellier striker Elye Wahi has been linked to Premier League clubs Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham this summer, but the France U21 forward is set to shun interest from all three to move to Lens.

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According to FootMercato, the promising forward, who scored 19 times and created six more in all competitions last season, has made up his mind and a “final agreement” has been reached between all parties.

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It is expected that Wahi will leave Montpellier for Lens for a fee of around €30-35 million – potentially doubling Lens’ transfer record – and will pen a contract that will run through until 2028.

Wahi is in the Montpellier squad to face Lyon in a Ligue 1 encounter on Saturday, but it is now expected that he will drop out, having only been on the bench last weekend as new signing Akor Adams bagged a double for La Paillade as they drew 2-2 with Le Havre.

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Wahi makes €35m Lens transfer

His motivation for joining Lens is clear. In the Champions League this season, the Ligue 1 runners-up have a strong track record of developing talent in recent seasons under Franck Haise, with Lois Openda moving to RB Leipzig and Seko Fofana joining Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.

Chelsea and Arsenal both monitored the player without making a move, and in any case Wahi would not have been a starter at either club.

FootballTransfers understands that West Ham manager David Moyes was not keen on him either while FootMercato reports that the Hammers were unable to give the players the guarantees that he wanted.

Eintracht Frankfurt were also interested from the Bundesliga but had their offer for Wahi knocked back by Montpellier.

All that stands between the deal being completed is a medical, with Wahi expected to sign a five-year deal with Lens.