Striker race down to Arsenal and Tottenham after Frenchman’s rapid rise pushes him beyond third suitor
A trusted source has confirmed a French striker has already become too hot to handle for Borussia Dortmund, with their withdrawal teeing up a north London transfer battle between Tottenham and Arsenal.
France manager Didier Deschamps currently possesses an embarrassment of riches in the final third. He can already call upon the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud, Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani for the centre-forward position.
A player seemingly destined to crash the party and break into Deschamp’s plans very soon is Elye Wahi.
The 20-year-old has alread been capped for France at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 level. At club level, he’s making waves in Ligue 1 with Montpellier.
Wahi scored 10 in the French top flight last season and is poised to blast past that mark this time around. His tally in the current campaign stands at eight in 21 matches.
French outlet TeleFoot recently reported Arsenal, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund were all sizing up a summer swoop in lieu of Wahi’s domestic displays.
Arsenal were first linked in late-January as they wrestled with whether Eddie Nketiah alone would be sufficient cover for the injured Gabriel Jesus.
Spurs, meanwhile, lack a top class out and out centre-forward in the event Harry Kane picks up an injury or requires a rest. Richarlison can play up top and has done for Brazil, though has spent the vast bulk of career on the wings.
Montpellier are understood to value Wahi around the €30m mark (approx. £26.3m). His current contract doesn’t expire until 2026, meaning Montpellier are in a strong bargaining position if and when bids are tabled.
Now, writing for Caught Offside, BILD journalist, Christian Falk, has put the ball in Tottenham and Arsenal’s court.
Elye Wahi already too good (and costly) for Dortmund
Falk stressed Dortmund have pulled out of the race, though that should not come as a red flag to the English pair.
Indeed, rather than doubting Wahi’s abilities, it’s more a case of the player has developed so quickly he’s likely already priced himself out of a move to the Bundesliga. Once again, the Premier League’s financial might looks set to prove decisive.
“Dortmund are out of the race for Elye Wahi, so the chances for the Premier League clubs are a little bit bigger,” wrote Falk.
“Dortmund always has a good argument up their sleeve of offering playing time and being good for development, so this argument is waved away. The English clubs can get in with money.
“I think we need to keep a close eye on the player, as he seems a very interesting option. Perhaps he’s too interesting already now for Bundesliga clubs interested in buying him.”
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