Transfer talks: Chelsea want to strengthen the attack with Frenchman Wahi

The summer transfer window is open! Transfer Talk brings you the latest rumors, news, departures and of course completed deals!

TOP STORY: Chelsea want to add Wahi to their attacking options

Chelsea are looking for offensive reinforcements and L’Equipe reports that they are interested in signing a French striker Elye Wahi from Ligue 1 team Lens.

The 21-year-old was snubbed by Chelsea last summer after leaving Montpellier for £29 million to stay in France, but it is believed he could be open to a move this time around.

Wahi scored nine goals and three assists for Lens last season, in addition to the 19 he scored for Montpellier a year earlier. His impressive tally in the 2022/23 season was higher than that of Lionel Messi for Paris Saint-Germain in the same season.

Chelsea view Wahi as a calculated risk: a promising player with great potential, but who lacks the high transfer fee that a proven player commands.

Chelsea, who have also been linked with Victor Osimhen, now want to find out how much Lens could pay to let him go.

Paper gossip

– Paris Saint-Germain is looking for a midfielder Joao Neves from Benfica, according to Mundo Deportivo. The French champions consider Neves to be their top priority this transfer window and have reportedly negotiated a €70 million offer for the 19-year-old. They believe the Portuguese international, who made two group stage appearances for Portugal at Euro 2024, could form a solid duo with Vitinha.

– Scott McTominay is at the centre of a three-way transfer row, with Fulham reportedly leading the chase and preparing a second bid to fend off Tottenham Hotspur and Galatasaray. That’s according to Sky Sports, who expect the Cottagers to increase their initial offer of £17million, which Manchester United rejected earlier in the summer. McTominay, 27, is seen by Fulham as the perfect replacement for the outgoing Palhinha, who has moved to Bayern Munich.

– West Ham United want to sign the former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kanté back to English football from Al-Ittihad, according to the Guardian. Negotiations have begun between the two clubs, with the 33-year-old Frenchman said to be open to a return to London. Kante, who played for France at Euro 2024, has spent a season in Saudi Arabia and the Hammers would have to part with £20 million to get their man.

– After Savinho was signed from Troyes on Thursday, Manchester City is now also expected to build on the Spanish star Daniela Olmosaid Football Insider. The 26-year-old midfielder, who played a prominent role in Spain’s 2-1 win over England and cleared Declan Rice’s goal-bound header three minutes from time, is open to a move away from his current club RB Leipzig. Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also interested in Olmo, whose £51 million release clause expired earlier this week.

– Fiorentina have to pay 25 million euros to sign the American midfielder Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis, according to Mundo Deportivo. The 22-year-old is currently on vacation following his brief Copa America appearance with the United States men’s national team, and although the Italian side hope to add the US international to their ranks, no formal offer has been received yet. Cardoso joined Betis six months ago for just €6 million and has since become a key player for Manuel Pellegrini.