In what comes as a potential boost to Tottenham’s rumoured pursuit of Montpellier forward Elye Wahi, the Ligue 1 club’s president Laurent Nicollin has admitted that he would rather sell the player to a foreign club.
The news of Wahi attracting interest from several of Europe’s big hitters does not come as a surprise considering the promise he has shown since breaking into Montpellier’s first team three years ago.
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The 20-year-old has improved with each passing season and finished the 2022-23 campaign with 19 goals and six assists to his name in 33 league matches (Transfermarkt).
Tottenham’s interest in the France Under-21 international first came to light back in February when Telefoot reported that the North London club were monitoring the youngster’s development.
Spurs’ interest in Wahi was also backed up by Jeunes Footeux in April but the publication added that the Lilywhites faced competition for the forward from Paris Saint-Germain, who view him as someone who can follow in Kylian Mbappe’s footsteps.
Montpellier would prefer to sell Elye Wahi abroad
However, it seems that Tottenham could have an advantage over the Parisians in the race for Wahi, with Nicollin admitting that his priority is to sell the starlet to a club outside France.
The Montpellier president told Via Foot about the prolific youngster: “I prefer that he go abroad. So as not to play against me! Elye Wahi has his exit slip to leave. For the moment, there are approaches, there are discussions but there is nothing concrete.
“The window is not yet open but that does not prevent certain clubs from (expressing their interest). And I think there are big clubs (who want Wahi).
“It is the principle of supply and demand. I have a price in my head. I refused 25 million euros plus bonuses during the month of January. Today, I think (Wahi) knows where he wants to go. I know where his people want to go.”
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I can understand the comparisons with Mbappe as Wahi has a lightning pace and is also a composed finisher. The 20-year-old seems to be destined to explode over the next couple of years.
However, I do have the feeling that he would end up at PSG this summer, given that the Ligue 1 giants are seemingly prioritising signing young, homegrown players rather than superstars, owing to their need to comply with the FFP regulations.
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