Chelsea have just decided to reignite their interest in signing a striker who rejected them a year ago.
It did fall on Nicolas Jackson last season to be the main No 9 for Chelsea. Interestingly, a recent report from GiveMeSport claims that Chelsea consider Jackson as ‘integral’ to their plans. He finished up with 17 goals in 44 games across all competitions during the last campaign.
However, Enzo Maresca’s side have just been linked with a new transfer target for the top end of the pitch.
Chelsea were heavily linked with Elye Wahi last summer when he was at Montpellier, but he rejected a move to West London in favour of a switch to Lens.
Journalist Fabrice Hawkins reported via X in August 2023 that Chelsea made a £26m bid for Wahi. Instead, the 21-year-old forward joined Lens, where he scored 12 goals in 36 matches last season.
During an interview with L’Equipe last year, Wahi explained why he rejected joining Chelsea. The striker said: “Chelsea – I didn’t want to go there just for the sake of it. Frankfurt was close, more so than Chelsea.”
However, there’s fresh claims in the media this week linking the Blues with a fresh attempt to sign the French youngster.
L’Equipe claims that Chelsea have come forward in recent days to express their interest in signing Lens star Wahi.
It is understood that the Premier League club are yet to make a transfer offer and are waiting to see the potential cost. Also, there’s an unnamed team that’s also entered the race for the Ligue 1 attacker recently.
Let’s see as the window progresses if Chelsea decide to ramp up their interest after this initial contact for Wahi.
Would Elye Wahi be a good signing?
Wahi has a pretty strong record for someone his age of 41 goals in 112 Ligue 1 appearances. This has been across his time with both Lens and Montpellier.
Chelsea clearly seem to like the fast striker because his name has popped up again, but he’s hardly a signing that you could guarantee will hit the ground running in England.
There may be enough in the squad already if Jackson and Nkunku compete for the central striker role. There’s also youngster Marc Guiu to consider, too.
If Chelsea decide to splash the cash on another forward, their best bet is investing in a proven goal scorer at the highest level.