Chelsea have reportedly opened the bidding for Montpellier youngster Elye Wahi. Manager Mauricio Pochettino is keen to snap up the striker before sending him on loan to sister club Strasbourg, where he can continue to hone his craft before arriving in the Premier League.
Last season, Wahi hit double figures in Ligue 1 for the second campaign on the trot. And he did so in some style, racking up 19 goals to pip the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Alexis Sanchez.
Chelsea have been credited with interest in recent weeks, and Mohamed Toubache-Ter via GFFN claims that the Blues have now kicked off the auction with a verbal offer of £21million. Montpellier reportedly want £30m to sanction Wahi’s exit.
If successful in signing the 20-year-old, Pochettino is believed to be planning a loan move across Ligue 1 to Strasbourg.
Chelsea’s owners bought a controlling stake in the French club earlier this summer. Todd Boehly and co are keen to use the partnership to forge a useful pathway for young players with the potential to make a future impact at Stamford Bridge.
Time will tell whether Montpellier accept Chelsea’s first offer for Wahi, who has scored 32 goals in 91 matches for the first team, or whether the Blues would be tempted to come back with an improved second offer.
Ahead of a forthcoming pre-season clash with Newcastle United, Pochettino has reiterated the need for more summer recruits. “We need at least one more [midfielder] and we are working on that,” stated the former Tottenham boss.
“At the moment, we are working to reinforce that area, and other areas also. I think the players that are here on the tour are in our plans, Chelsea’s plans. We are working very hard to try to add more players in different areas and hope that is possible soon.”