Leicester City and West Ham United have reportedly entered the race for Lens attacker Elye Wahi.
The 21-year-old rose to fame in France with a marvellous campaign for Montpellier HSC during the 2022-23 term, scoring 19 times in 33 league appearances.
Such impressive displays earned Wahi a move to title-chasing Lens last summer for a fee of €30m (£25.3m), so expectations were high for the player on arrival.
The striker failed to hit the same heights of his final year at Montpellier across the course of 2023-24, netting on nine occasions from 27 Ligue 1 contests.
That being said, Wahi caught the eye on the continental stage over the past year, finding the net and providing an assist during the 2-1 Champions League success over Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.
Leicester, West Ham interested in Lens' Wahi?
After a remarkable display against the Gunners last term, Wahi could be travelling to the Emirates Stadium as a Premier League foe next season.
According to French outlet L'Equipe, both newly-promoted Leicester and West Ham are in the race to secure the services of the former Montpellier man.
The 21-year-old has also been linked earlier in the summer window to Chelsea, who are looking to change their fortunes under the management of Enzo Maresca.
With Wahi signing for Lens at a price of £25.3m just 12 months ago, it is believed that Leicester and West Ham would have to fork out even more for his signature.
A bidding war between potential suitors could price the Foxes out of a move, with the East Midlands club already walking a financial tightrope amid charges from the Premier League and EFL.
Leicester's striking options
Returning to the Premier League after a one-year slog in the Championship, Leicester could do with the arrival of another striker before the summer window shuts.
Patson Daka, Tom Cannon and a currently-injured Jamie Vardy are the striking options for Steve Cooper at the King Power Stadium at the moment.
With Irishman Cannon edging towards a loan move to a second-tier outfit, Zambian Daka and club legend Vardy would be tasked with leading the line for the entire campaign.
Although an attack-minded midfielder is the priority following the exit of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea, Leicester's need for another striker is arguably urgent. body check tags ::
