EPL: Elye Wahi chooses West Ham over Chelsea
20-year-old Ligue 1 sensation, Elye Wahi has reportedly chosen to move to West Ham United over Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Chelsea have so far shown the greatest interest in Wahi, but RMC Sport reported that the France U21 international has questioned his significance in the club’s project. Throughout the Blues’ pursuit of the Montpellier forward, it has been suggested that he would be sent immediately out on loan, potentially to BlueCo-owned RC Strasbourg Alsace.
However, it now seems that Wahi has chosen his next destination. West Ham are ready to table a €35m bid and it’s been gathered Elye Wahi wants the move. His current club, Montpellier, have been informed of his desire to join the Hammers. No official bid has been submitted, but talks are ongoing.
This is coming after Footmercato reported that the Blues have allegedly made an offer of £23m ($27m) for the 20-year-old.
Strong, quick, and powerful, Wahi is at his best using his pace to get behind defences. He is also capable of playing in a wide role and it is felt he has the characteristics to succeed West Ham’s first-choice striker, Michail Antonio, whose physicality makes him suited to Moyes’s counterattacking system.
West Ham have sold Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105m and will have further funds if they sell Paquetá to City, who are thought to be lining up a new bid. Paquetá, whose contract contains an £85m release clause that becomes active next summer, wants to leave but City’s opening offer of £70m was deemed too low.
West Ham know they are likely to lose the Brazilian and are trying to be proactive. Their interest in the City winger Cole Palmer has dimmed but they are hopeful of adding more creativity by signing Mohammed Kudus, who has been a target for Arsenal, Brighton, and Chelsea. City are likely to beat West Ham to the signing of the Rennes winger Jérémy Doku.
Moyes, who has replaced Rice by bolstering his midfield with Edson Álvarez and James Ward-Prowse, also wants a centre-back. West Ham pulled out of a deal to sign Harry Maguire from Manchester United this week and are exploring other targets.
