Official | Elye Wahi signs for Lens

RC Lens have officially announced the signing of sought-after Montpellier centre-forward Elye Wahi (20). The France U21 international attracted interest from all over Europe on the back of his breakout season with the Hérault side.

Wahi logged an impressive 19 goals in 33 league games played with Montpellier. It has been reported that Chelsea FC, West Ham United, Eintracht Frankfurt and PSG were all keeping tabs on the 20-year-old striker. Nevertheless, it is RC Lens that have won the race to seucre Wahi’s signature.

ELYE WAHI, NEW LENS PLAYER 🔴🟡 pic.twitter.com/m45d4YyI6Q

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) August 20, 2023

Lens were in the market for a prolific centre-forward following the club-record €50m sale of Loïs Openda to RB Leipzig. Last week, the Ligue 1 side pulled out of the deal to sign Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom after it transpired that the player’s representatives were also in talks with AFC Ajax – Akpom eventually joined the Eredivisie giants. Lens then moved up a gear in their pursuit of Wahi and struck a €35m deal including bonuses with Montpellier, making Wahi the most expansive player in the northern club’s history.

✍️ Elye Wahi rejoint le @RCLens

🙌 𝙈𝙀𝙍𝘾𝙄 pour ces moments 🧡
Bonne continuation Elye #PailladinUnJourPailladinToujours 💙

📝 https://t.co/JSD5YIwJmc pic.twitter.com/WZDypelJml

— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) August 20, 2023

Wahi underwent his medical yesterday and signed a five-year contract with Lens this Sunday. With Franck Haise’s side, the promising striker will feature for the first time in the Champions League group stage. Les Sang et Or will face Stade Rennais tonight at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval