Lens have reportedly beat the likes of Chelsea and West Ham United in the race to sign Montpellier HSC forward Elye Wahi.
The France Under-21 international has established himself as one of the top prospects in Ligue 1 over the past two seasons, contributing 29 goals and eight assists.
That return has inevitably led to widespread interest in his signature at a time when he has just two years remaining on his contract.
For the majority of the summer window, it has been perceived that Chelsea have been the clear favourites to eventually secure the signature of the 20-year-old.
However, it soon became apparent that the versatile attacker was against immediately being sent on loan to Strasbourg, a fellow France club without European football that have just been purchased by Chelsea's owners.
© Reuters
As a result, reports indicated that West Ham United had overtaken their London rivals in the race to sign Wahi, the Hammers being able to offer first-team football and Europa League action.
Nevertheless, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Lens have now won the race to sign Wahi in a deal worth €35m (£29.9m).
Last season's Ligue 1 runners-up have been in the market for a replacement for Lois Openda, who has made the switch to RB Leipzig after his exploits in front of goal during 2022-23.
Although Lens scored twice in their season opener with Brest, succumbing to a 3-2 defeat has led to Franck Haise upping his search for new additions.
© Reuters
Unlike Chelsea and West Ham, Lens are also in a position where they can offer Champions League football, with Haise's side and Paris Saint-Germain the only French teams competing in European football's premier competition after Marseille's early exit.
Romano says that terms in a five-year contract have already been agreed and a medical is now due to take place, with the assumption being that a transfer will be finalised over the coming days.
While Wahi is capable of playing on the flanks, the majority of his appearances last season came down the middle of the frontline, and it appears that is where he will line up for Lens.
Should a transfer go through as expected, Wahi would be in line to make his debut against PSG at Parc des Princes on August 26.
Darren Plant
