In a bid to revamp their offense, Premier League club Chelsea FC is stepping up negotiations for the French prodigy, Elye Wahi from Montpellier, and Olympique Lyonnais' whiz kid, Rayan Cherki. With a total estimated value of £70 million, the talented duo has caught the attention of Mauricio Pochettino, the Blues' manager, eager to orchestrate a turnaround for the team that finished a disappointing 12th last season.
Chelsea's interest in Wahi, a 20-year-old centre-forward, and Cherki, an attacking midfielder, is seen as a move to inject vitality into their lineup that managed just 38 goals last season. The negotiations intensify amidst a brewing rivalry with Arsenal, another Premier League titan, vying for Wahi's prowess. "Wahi likes Arsenal a lot," said France Bleu reporter Bertrand Queneutte. However, as it stands, Chelsea seems to be ahead in the race, positioning themselves strategically for a deal.
Wahi, who has delivered 19 goals and six assists in 33 Ligue 1 games for Montpellier last season, is under contract until 2025. The Frenchman is attracting a €30m (£26m) offer from Chelsea, according to the French media outlet, L'Equipe. Wahi's potential addition, along with two attackers Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson already signed this summer, underlines the Blues' aggressive strategy to bolster their attacking options.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Cherki is seen as a potential replacement for Mason Mount, who recently made a move to Manchester United. Last season, Cherki displayed his potential, scoring four goals and assisting six more in 34 appearances for Laurent Blanc's Lyon side. He could be poised to join former teammate Malo Gusto at Stamford Bridge. Given the Blues' cordial relationship with Lyon, they appear to have the upper hand in securing Cherki's services, valued at around £43 million.
While Chelsea's revolution is on the horizon, competition is fierce. Besides Arsenal, Wahi has drawn attention from clubs like Bournemouth, Union Berlin, Lazio, and Eintracht Frankfurt. However, Chelsea's active and aggressive pursuit seems to be tilting the scales in their favor.
The successful acquisition of both Wahi and Cherki could signify a seismic shift in Chelsea's strategy, focusing on young, high-potential talents to resurrect their league standing. Whether or not this gamble pays off is a storyline to follow closely in the upcoming season.
