West Ham United want to get ahead in ‘strong’ race to sign Elye Wahi as transfer news emerges
Montpellier striker Elye Wahi is a transfer priority for West Ham United as they want to get ahead in the “strong” competition to sign him, according to Ignazio Genuardi.
According to the Foot365 journalist, taking to his personal Twitter account (18 August), the race to sign Wahi is heating up with West Ham battling the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt and Chelsea.
The Guardian reported on its website on 16 August that the Hammers’ technical director Tim Steidten is driving the move for the 20-year-old and has held “positive talks” for the Frenchman, and according to Genuardi, the next few days could be decisive in the race.
He tweeted: “Regardless of the future of Paqueta, who still hopes for City, West Ham is moving hard on several issues. Besides Mavropanos, Kudus and Lingard, Wahi is another priority.
“The competition is strong (Frankfurt, Chelsea), but the Hammers aim to get ahead of everyone.”
He added: “The next few days could be decisive.”
Exciting
These are exactly the kind of deals that Steidten has been brought in to West Ham to try and pull off as he targets young and emerging talents.
The Hammers are absolutely right to prioritise the signing of Wahi who is an incredibly exciting prospect after proving himself in Ligue 1 with Montpellier to place a number of clubs on high alert about his availability.
Despite only being 20 years old, the “prolific” French U-21 international has made 92 appearances for La Paillade and scored an impressive 19 goals in 33 games last season, while also registering six assists.
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.
Standing at 6’0″, Wahi fits the profile of the kind of striker David Moyes likes to have to lead his forward line, with his presence allowing him to hold the ball up and his pace in behind adding an extra threat.
However, despite all this, the same was said about Gianluca Scamacca when he joined last year but the Italian simply did not fit Moyes’ system last season. Surely that won’t happen again, right?
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have entered the race to sign this incredibly gifted Portuguese attacker.