West Ham United transfer for Elye Wahi in the works in race against Chelsea and Leicester
West Ham are now working on a deal to sign Elye Wahi and offers for the forward are expected at Lens within a matter of hours, L’Equipe reports.
According to the French outlet’s website on 30 July the Hammers and Leicester City are both in the running to sign the 21-year-old, who is also of interest to Chelsea.
All three are said to be negotiating on deals for the striker and the Premier League is the most likely destination if he leaves the Ligue 1 side.
The Irons have been pursuing a deal to sign Jhon Duran from Aston Villa but have been unable to do so despite the Colombian’s wish to move [James Nursey, 22 July].
West Ham frustrated in Jhon Duran pursuit at Aston Villa
It isn’t a secret to anyone with even a passing knowledge of the Hammers that a new striker is needed, but with time getting on towards the new season Julen Lopetegui is in danger of following David Moyes with Michail Antonio again left as the primary centre-forward.
Duran was is believed to be the manager and Tim Steidten’s primary target to lead the line this term [The Athletic, 12 July] but that move has become bogged down despite the 20-year-old being expected to move [Guardian, 26 July].
So it appears the club are now working on a contingency plan in the form of another youngster in Wahi.
The Frenchman only joined Lens from Montpellier last summer so is unlikely to be cheap after a debut campaign where he scored 12 times in all competitions.
That added to an impressive scoring record for his age after netting 29 league goals over his final two campaigns at Montpellier.
Lopetegui and Steidten can’t wait around forever haggling over Duran so a decision will have to be made as to whether he is worth Villa’s asking price or whether the club should go all out for an alternative like Wahi.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are now in advanced negotiations to seal another transfer at a position of need.
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