West Ham move for highly-rated striker who once netted 89 goals in a single season

David Moyes' West Ham United are pursuing a deal for France U21 and Montpellier forward Elye Wahi, who once bagged a whopping 89 goals in a single campaign as a teenager for Caen

18:06, 16 Aug 2023

Elye Wahi could be playing for West Ham United come the end of the summer transfer window(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

West Ham United are keen on signing Montpellier forward Elye Wahi, who impressively bagged a monstrous 89 goals in a single season for Caen as a teenager.

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The France U21 international had been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge earlier in the transfer window, with Chelsea pursuing the young striker.

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However, it has now emerged the Hammers want to bring the promising forward, who enjoyed a breakout campaign last term in Ligue 1, to the Premier League.

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According to The Guardian, West Ham have emerged as serious contenders to sign the striker, who is still seen as a possible target for London rivals Chelsea.

Alongside interest from West Ham and Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Eintracht Frankfurt are also said to be monitoring the French striker.

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Last season saw Wahi bag 19 goals in 33 appearances in Ligue 1, helping Montpellier finish 12th. And those who have been following the talent for years will know of his historic goal scoring feats in the youth team ranks of French football.

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Wahi enjoyed a stellar season last term for Montpellier(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

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The 20-year-old scored 19 goals in Ligue 1 last term(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Back in 2017, Wahi scored an incredible 89 goals in a single season as a 14-year-old for Caen. So good was the Frenchman at that age, he ended up playing three-years above his age grade, once scoring a brace in his first U17 game against PSG.

The Hammers want to add firepower to their frontline, especially after selling Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta and in Wahi, they would be getting a mobile, powerful young forward who can also operate out wide.

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Montpellier have reportedly put a £30m price tag on the striker.

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Elye Wahi in action for France U21s this summer(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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Landing the 20-year-old would represent a real coup for West Ham, who recently pulled out of a deal to sign Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.

After selling Declan Rice to Arsenal earlier this summer, transfer business at the London Stadium had been initially slow up until the last few weeks, with the Hammers recently announcing the signings of Edson Alvarez from Ajax and James Ward-Prowse from Southampton.