New Osimhen alternative emerges for Chelsea after shock revelation

Tom Weber

• Updated: 4 Jun 2024 15:11 BST
• 3 min read

Former Chelsea target Elye Wahi will be on the market this summer, according to French media.

The 21-year-old looks set to depart 2023 Ligue 1 runners-up RC Lens in the upcoming window after just one season. According to L'Equipe, Lens will overhaul the way the club is run this summer after only finishing seventh last season and with manager Franck Haise on his way to Nice.

It is claimed that Lens will implement 'budgetary rigour' and this means that big earners will be moved on to enable a more sustainable running of the club. Wahi, who was signed for a whopping €30 million from Montpellier last year, has reportedly already agreed to leave.

The France youth international netted 12 goals and assisted four times in the bygone season after a slow start at his new club and is on the radar of clubs in the Premier League and Bundesliga.

Last summer, Chelsea were one of the sides most heavily linked with the Frenchman prior to Lens surprisingly managing to land him ahead of their campaign in the Champions League.

Chelsea back in for Wahi?

While the above-mentioned report makes no mention of any specific clubs, it would not come as a shock if Chelsea were once again interested in Wahi.

According to Fabrizio Romano, and also confirmed by FootballTransfers sources, Chelsea have moved on from Victor Osimhen and will instead target a more affordable striker this summer.

We understand that one of the options under consideration is Girona's Artem Dovbyk, while RB Leipzig wonderkid Benjamin Sesko is also a concrete target. The unexpected availability of Wahi could yet affect some changes in terms of the Blues' pursuit of a new striker.

Given their extensive knowledge of the French market, their policy of signing young, high-potential players and their previous interest in the striker, the 21-year-old will surely be discussed sooner rather than later.