Elye Wahi has been issued a warning about leaving Montpellier for the Premier League with the striker keen on a move to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
The legendary Louis Nicollin was never one to shy away from speaking out. And it seems the proverbial apple does not fall too far from the tree.
Laurent Nicollin, Montpellier’s current president and Louis’ son, admitted over the weekend – amid reports linking Elye Wahi with a number of ‘big clubs’ from across the continent – that the France U21 international was dreaming of a move to an Arsenal side ‘he loves’.
Wahi scored 19 goals and set up five more during an outstanding 2022/23 campaign; his searing pace and ruthless finishing reminiscent, perhaps, of a young Kylian Mbappe.
But Francis de Taddeo, the striker’s former youth coach at Montpellier, is not quite so enthusiastic about a potential move away from the Stade de la Mosson.
Will Elye Wahi get his dream Arsenal move
“As for England, at a top three club, he would be in the rotation,” De Taddeo tells France Bleu, highlighting a lack of guaranteed first-team football at Gunners side who can call upon Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard in the forward positions.
“I think he must be careful about the status he will have (at his next club). It’s part of the decision.
“There are also integration factors in relation to the language and the environment. Being in a quiet and cushy city is better than a city where there is too much light, because he is still a player in training.
“He needs work and time. He is still far from having reached his maximum level.”
Wahi, also linked with Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham, will cost around £30 million. Nicollin admits that he turned down a bid in the region of £22 million from an unnamed Premier League club in January.
“He must also imagine what his future is made of. He must think of the World Cup, Champions League. Also think about personal titles or trophies, and therefore ask yourself; ‘At which club would I be the best?’” De Taddeo adds.
“Knowing that he is only 20 years old, he has to find a club in which his youth is not a problem. Because, if he joins a club where there are monsters ahead of him, he will only play in bits of matches.
“In this case, it is better that he stays in Montpellier.”
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