Ligue 1 starlet Elye Wahi admits it is ‘flattering’ to catch the eye of Premier League duo Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal as the Montpellier striker weighs up his next step, speaking to Telefoot.
A decade or so ago, almost every young forward bursting onto the scene in France had to cope with the ‘new Thierry Henry’ moniker. These days, Kylian Mbappe is the benchmark.
Whether Wahi proves to be Mbappe 2.0 or the second-coming of David Bellion, there was certainly something eerily reminiscent of PSG’s number seven – or even the Arsenal legend – about the way Wahi ran rings about the Angers’ defence during Sunday’s thumping 5-0 win.
That was his ninth goal in 22 Ligue 1 games, and undoubtedly his best.
Wahi, who recently emulated Mbappe by scoring 20 times in France’s top flight before exiting his teens, has been scouted by both Arsenal and Tottenham on occasions, and that wizardish wondergoal against Angers will surely only serve to add a few more pounds onto his £25 million price-tag (FootMercato).
Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal like Montpellier striker Elye Wahi
Wahi, however, is not letting the speculation distract him, even if he is pleased to see that his progress is not going unnoticed.
“How do I react to rumours of leaving for a big club? It’s always flattering to be courted by big clubs,” Wahi smiles.
“But I’m still focused on Montpellier. We have games to play in the second half of the season. And we will give everything for the Paillade.”
Tottenham, reporter Christian Falk says, view Wahi as a potential option to redevelop their frontline. Manchester United target Harry Kane could depart with one year remaining on his contract.
France legend Bixente Lizarazu, however, believes Wahi would be better off a few miles down the road at the Emirates.
“(Wahi) has great athletic qualities,” Lizarazu says FootSur07. “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; a World Cup winner on home soil back in 1998.
“When I hear about Arsenal or Dortmund, I consider it would be 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.”
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