Montpellier coach Michel der Zakarian believes Elye Wahi’s price-tag has risen to ‘at least’ £25 million with Premier League duo Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur scouting the striker.
They don’t call France’s top flight the ‘League of Talents’ for nothing.
Kylian Mbappe, after all, is not the only exciting young French attacker to emerge out of Ligue 1 in recent seasons. Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani and co also made their name across the Channel, and all the signs suggest that 20-year-old Wahi will soon be embarking upon a big-money move of his own.
North London neighbours Arsenal and Tottenham, FootMercato say, have both attended Montpellier matches during 2022/23 as they run the rule over a quicksilver centre-forward with 12 goals in just 21 starts.
And Der Zakarian, who recently returned for another spell at Montpellier, believes that Wahi should not be going anywhere for a penny less than £20 million.
Arsenal and Tottenham like Ligue 1 forward Elye Wahi
The kid, he’s 20 years old, he’s steeped in talent. It’s expensive. For me, at least 25 or 30 million euros,” the veteran tactician tells France Bleu. “When you see the TV rights there, English clubs can pay for him. It’s easier for them.
“His areas for improvement? He has to work on his productivity, he has to run a lot more, be constantly on the move and be able to repeat his effort. He’s a sprinter, he runs very fast. But sometimes, after 45 minutes, he explodes. He has to manage his work better, every day in training.
“If he wants to go to a big club and play with great players, he has to work harder. He can go very high, at a very, very good level.
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“I think he can do even better.”
‘Arsenal is a good choice’
Wahi, who’s searing pace and fearsome ball-carrying ability is perhaps a little reminiscent of a Monaco-era Mbappe, admits to have been flattered by all the attention he is apparently courting ahead of the summer transfer window.
1998 World Cup winner Bixente Lizarazu, meanwhile, believes that, out of Arsenal and Tottenham, there is one obvious destination that would suit Wahi down to the ground.
“(Wahi) has great athletic qualities. He runs very fast, he is very lively, very skilful in front of goal. If he makes the right choices (he can go far),” says the former Bayern Munich defender.
“When I hear about Arsenal, I consider that a good choice for a young player. (Wahi must) progress further. Even if, with Montpellier, he has already made enormous progress.
“It is rare to have attackers so young and so precocious. There is an additional level to go to, probably abroad.”
In other news, Real Madrid and Man City keen but £33m Gabri Veiga still prefers Arsenal
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