West Ham United are reportedly exploring a move for Olympique Marseille striker Elye Wahi, according to L’Equipe. The 22-year-old joined Marseille from RC Lens in a €25 million deal (plus €5 million in bonuses) last summer but has struggled to cement his place as a key player.
The young forward has scored just three goals in 13 Ligue 1 appearances, losing his spot to Neal Maupay, now the first-choice striker.
West Ham are looking to take advantage of the situation to sign the talented Wahi, whom they had eyes on before he moved to Marseille.
The Hammers are without Michail Antonio, who is still recovering from the motor accident he suffered weeks ago. He might not play for the Irons again this season.
Meanwhile, summer signing Niclas Fullkrug has endured a torrid time in East London. He has barely managed to stay fit and struggled to find his groove, leading to reports about a return to his native Germany.
West Ham desperately need to bring in attacking reinforcement, especially at centre-forward and have Wahi on their radar.
However, they will not be alone in the pursuit of his signature. AFC Bournemouth are also dealing with striker issues.
Summer signing Evanilson suffered a broken foot, and their woes were compounded as back-up striker Enes Unal sustained an ACL tear that will rule him out for the rest of the season.
While no formal offers have been submitted, preliminary discussions have begun. Two critical factors could shape Wahi’s future – his desire to seek a fresh start and the ability of interested clubs to meet Marseille’s financial demands.
A loan deal with a mandatory purchase option or a straight transfer close to the original outlay is understood to be the baseline for any negotiations.
West Ham will be eager to get a deal across the line but Bournemouth are notably swift in their transfer dealings, and the Hammers must be sharp.
