Elye Wahi ‘snubs Chelsea in favour of West Ham United’

West Ham United are reportedly on the brink of beating Chelsea in the race to sign Montpellier HSC forward Elye Wahi.

The 20-year-old has established himself as one of the top prospects in European football with two impressive campaigns in Ligue 1.

A total of 29 goals and eight assists have been recorded in 66 matches, a return that has also earned him recognition with France Under-21s.

Such form has resulted in widespread interest in his signature and Chelsea have been heavily linked with the versatile attacker throughout the summer.

Chelsea have allegedly been keen to secure a deal for Wahi before loaning him to Strasbourg, who have just been purchased by Chelsea’s owners.

However, it has been well documented that Wahi does not view that route as his preferred option, as the prospect feels that his career would not progress if he represented a side of similar stature to Montpellier.

As a result, negotiations have not progressed with the Blues, and it now appears that they will lose out in the race for a highly-rated youngster, a rare occurrence over the past year.

According to Foot Mercato, West Ham are close to winning the race for Wahi’s services, with the expectation being that he would immediately ply his trade at the London Stadium.

RMC Sport adds that the Hammers are prepared to make a €35m (£30m) offer for the player over the coming days.

Manager David Moyes has recently been able to sign Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse to help fill the void left by Declan Rice, who has joined Arsenal.

Nevertheless, a new central defender and attacker are known to be on his radar as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for the Europa League trophy.

Michail Antonio, Danny Ings and Divin Mubama are the current options down the middle of the forward line, although the former may be sold for the right price.

Moyes is allegedly open to using Jarrod Bowen down the centre, too, which would free up Wahi to be used elsewhere in the final third of the pitch.

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In a world where football transfer stories dominate headlines, Harry Maguire’s recent decision to stay at Manchester United, despite interest from West Ham, has become a focal point of discussion in the football community. The narrative surrounding Maguire’s potential move and his eventual decision to stay put offers a glimpse into the complexities of modern football, where loyalty, ambition, and financial considerations often intersect.

Manchester United, one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs, had acquired Maguire in 2019 for a record £80 million, making him the world’s most expensive defender at the time. However, the journey since then has been anything but smooth for the England international. Last season, Maguire found himself struggling for consistent first-team opportunities, and this season, he was stripped of the captaincy.

Despite these challenges, sources close to the player have indicated that Maguire remains committed to the Red Devils. He “respects West Ham and David Moyes,” but there was never a concrete agreement regarding his personal terms with the London club. The sentiment is clear: Maguire believes in his ability to reclaim his spot in the first team and is not ready to give up on his Manchester United dream.

This unwavering commitment to Manchester United comes despite the club reportedly accepting a £30 million bid from West Ham. The transfer, however, was not straightforward. Reports suggest that Maguire would have had to accept a significant pay cut to make the move to West Ham. Financial considerations aside, the defender’s belief in his ability and his love for Manchester United seem to have played a pivotal role in his decision.

Yet, the football community remains divided on Maguire’s decision. Former England, Liverpool, and Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy expressed his understanding of Maguire’s choice, highlighting the financial implications of the move. On the other hand, some believe that a fresh start away from Old Trafford might be beneficial for Maguire, given the recent challenges he has faced, both on and off the pitch.

The situation at Manchester United is also evolving. Maguire was on the bench for United’s recent 1-0 victory over Wolves and did not feature in the match, even as manager Erik ten Hag made multiple substitutions. Ten Hag’s recent comments suggest that Maguire needs to be confident and ready to fight for his place in the team.

In the grand scheme of things, Maguire’s decision to stay at Manchester United is a testament to his belief in his abilities and his commitment to the club. While the future is uncertain, and the transfer window remains open, Maguire’s story serves as a reminder of the complexities and intricacies of modern football, where decisions are influenced by a myriad of factors, both on and off the pitch.