Chelsea 'fail with £24m bid for Montpellier HSC's Elye Wahi'

Chelsea have reportedly had a £24m bid for Elye Wahi turned down by the forward's club Montpellier HSC.

The 20-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in recent weeks, and it was recently claimed that a move was close to being completed.

However, according to the Evening Standard, the two clubs are currently finding it difficult to come to an agreement over a fee, with Chelsea having a bid worth up to £24m turned down.

The report claims that Wahi is determined to push through a move to Stamford Bridge, but he would not spend next season with Chelsea if a transfer is completed, with the forward instead expected to join the Premier League outfit's partner club Strasbourg on loan.

The youngster has been with Montpellier since 2018, and he has represented their first team on 91 occasions in all competitions, scoring 32 goals and registering nine assists.

© Reuters

Wahi was in impressive form at club level during the 2022-23 campaign, meanwhile, scoring 19 goals and registering six assists in 33 Ligue 1 appearances.

The striker has another two years left to run on his contract, but an agreement is expected to be reached to allow him to join Chelsea before the end of the transfer window.

The Blues have boosted their attack with the signings of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson this summer, but new head coach Mauricio Pochettino recently said that his side are still short on forwards.

"I think for the possibility today and the different players we have available and I think it's a position we decide today... we only have Jackson and him (Nkunku) with the possibility to play as a striker," said Pochettino following the 5-0 friendly success over Wrexham.

© Reuters

Romelu Lukaku is still contracted to the club, but he is not in the plans of Pochettino for the coming season, with the forward set to depart this summer.

Inter Milan had been in discussions over a permanent return to San Siro for the forward, but the Italian giants have since pulled the plug on a deal after allegedly being unhappy with the Belgian's talks with Juventus.

As it stands, Juventus are thought to be the favourites for Lukaku, who could spend next season on loan with the Old Lady before joining on a permanent basis in the summer of 2024.

Kai Havertz played as Chelsea's main striker for much of last season, but the Germany international has made the move to Arsenal this summer.

Meanwhile, Joao Felix has returned to parent club Atletico Madrid, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has departed on a free transfer to Marseille.