West Ham are set to succeed where Liverpool failed after ‘direct contact’ is made to complete a deal for rapid star Elye Wahi.
West Ham are said to be closing in on the signing of striker Elye Wahi by managing what Liverpool couldn’t, in more ways than one it seems.
Liverpool, who are arguably enduring a tougher summer transfer window than West Ham, were heavily linked with Montpellier striker Wahi last summer, in January and again recently.
The Kop Times claimed that Jurgen Klopp was planning to go back in for reported West Ham target Wahi in this window having opted to sign Darwin Nunez instead of him last summer.
The likes of Foot Mercato also claimed Liverpool wanted Wahi back in January.
Now West Ham look set to succeed where Liverpool failed after ‘direct contact’ was made to complete a deal for rapid star Wahi.
Because not only are West Ham closing in on signing the electric 20-year-old the Reds wanted, the Hammers have also managed something else Liverpool couldn’t.
They’ve beaten Chelsea to the signing of a player.
As we reported yesterday on Hammers News, Wahi visited Chelsea’s training ground recently ahead of an expected move to Stamford Bridge.
But the player has doubts over the project and game time he will get at Chelsea and has “chosen West Ham” in the race for his signature.
Liverpool have seen Chelsea beat them to two major signings in the last week with both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia choosing the Blues over them.
So when Chelsea emerged as the favourites to sign France youth star Wahi, it looked ominous for West Ham – as Liverpool would testify.
But he has snubbed Mauricio Pochettino and with the player keen on West Ham, it is over to the Hammers hierarchy to agree a fee for the former Liverpool target.
And reports from Foot Mercato in France overnight claim West Ham are now in “direct contact” with Montpellier, who rejected a bid from Eintracht Frankfurt in anticipation of the offer from the Hammers.
Get French Football News has also summarised the current situation according to various French sources as West Ham close in on a much-need striker signing.
“West Ham are in direct contact with Montpellier HSC over the signing of Elye Wahi (20),” GFFN reports.
“The Ligue 1 club have also rejected an offer from Eintracht Frankfurt in anticipation of a higher offer from the Hammers.
“One of the most protracted sagas of the summer may be reaching a conclusion. Wahi had looked to be on his way to Chelsea for much of the window. The Blues had shown the most concrete interest by submitting an offer, even if it didn’t receive a positive response. However, a second bid never came, and all the while, the France U21 international began to doubt the move, according to RMC Sport.
“Foot Mercato reported on Tuesday that Wahi has now made up his mind – he wants to join West Ham. The Hammers are yet to submit a bid, but one may be forthcoming. There are already contacts between the two clubs.”
Foot Mercato has also reiterated that Wahi has made it clear to Montpellier that he only wants West Ham.
A penny for the thoughts of Klopp and the Liverpool fans upon the rare find of a player who does not want to join Chelsea.