West Ham United transfer news: Race to sign £35m Montpellier striker Elye Wahi heats up as Chelsea table first offer
West Ham United have been joined by Chelsea, Fulham, and German Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt in the race to sign Montpellier striker Elye Wahi, according to RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins.
According to the French journalist, taking to his personal Twitter account (4 August), Chelsea have already tabled an opening offer of around £26m plus add ons but it is believed that Montpellier want around £35m to sell the 19-goal forward.
Eintracht Frankfurt in the last few days are hoping to convince the “prolific” young forward but West Ham remain in the chase along with Fulham and Chelsea.
RMC Sport journalist Hawkins tweeted: “Chelsea, West Ham, Fulham and Frankfurt are interested in Elye Wahi.
“In recent days the Germans insist on convincing the player.
“Chelsea made a first offer of 30 million euros including bonuses.
“Montpellier wants about €40m (£35m).”
Make an ambitious offer
Following the £105m sale of Declan Rice, the Hammers will certainly be undergoing a major rebuild this summer to ensure David Moyes’ is able to compete from the get-go once the season kicks off in mid-August.
While finding a replacement for the England international remains the top priority right now, following talks for several potential targets, the need to sign a striker should be well on the club’s list this summer too.
Antonio certainly isn’t the only striker who could potentially depart the club, with Italian forward Gianluca Scamacca also now set to depart the London Stadium with a move to Serie A side Atalanta on the cards (Fabrizio Romano, 4 August).
Given the desperate market for strikers these days, West Ham United will need to move fast to secure any potential target and Wahi certainly fits the bill given his profile and stunning potential but it’s clear the East Londoners face a stiff fight for his signature, but it’s a fight the Hammers must bring all the tools they require to compete for the Frenchman’s signature.
An ambitious offer should be placed by the Hammers too if they want to sign this electric emerging striker who scored a sensational 19 goals and assisted five others in just 33 Ligue 1 appearances last term, making him quite the exciting prospect for West Ham United supporters.
One for the club to keep their eye on with Frankfurt and Chelsea actively pursuing him.
In other West Ham news, one wantaway attacker is now closing on a move to an Italian club, as David Sullivan demands around £10m to sell.