Chelsea move again for striker after failed bid last summer

Chelsea have reignited their interest in striker Elye Wahi after a failed bid to bring him to Stamford Bridge last summer.

The Blues made a £24m bid for the forward when he was at Montpellier but the offer was rejected and instead he moved to Lens in August last year.

The 21-year-old had a steady first season with the club, scoring 12 goals in all competitions, although it was maybe not the impact that was hoped for when Lens forked out a club record £30m for him.

A year later and there is the possibility that Wahi could leave Lens, with Chelsea still keen on bringing him to west London.

L’Equipe report that the Blues are yet to make an offer but have approached Lens and asked about the availability of Wahi and what price could convince them to sell the striker.

However, Chelsea have competition as the report states that another club has made a more concrete move for the Frenchman.

Wahi signed a five-year contract when he joined Lens from Montpellier and his club would certainly be looking to at least make their money back if they were to sell their £30m investment this summer.

Wahi was asked about the chance of moving to Chelsea after he joined Lens last year and said that he was actually closer to going to Frankfurt as they looked for a replacement for PSG-bound Randal Kolo Muani.

On a potential move to Chelsea, Wahi told L’Equipe: ‘I didn’t want to go there just for the sake of it.

‘Frankfurt was close, more so than Chelsea. I spoke with the manager there. He speaks French and that was important for me.

‘They had to wait for Randal Kolo Muani’s departure and waiting for it was too complicated. I don’t have any regrets.’

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