Elye Wahi has revealed his thought process behind rejecting a transfer to Chelsea during the summer transfer window.
Having contributed a remarkable 29 goals and eight assists across two Ligue 1 campaigns for Montpellier HSC between 2021 and 2023, the French Under-21 international had put himself in the shop window.
Wahi eventually made the switch to last season's runners-up Lens for a €35m fee, also penning a five-year contract in the process.
However, for a number of weeks before that transfer materialised, the 20-year-old was being linked with Chelsea, who were in the market for the top prospects in European football.
At one stage, a move appeared more likely than not, but that changed once it became apparent that owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital wanted to send Wahi on loan to Strasbourg, who they had recently purchased.
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With Montpellier and Strasbourg viewed to be on a similar level in French football, it was reported at the time that Wahi did not feel that his career would progress as he would like.
The player has now confirmed that stance in an interview with L'Equipe, acknowledging that he did not see the point in signing for Chelsea if he would not remain at Stamford Bridge.
Wahi said: "Chelsea – I didn't want to go there just for the sake of it. [Eintracht] Frankfurt was close, more so than Chelsea.
"I spoke with the manager there (Dino Toppmoller). 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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Lens have since endured a difficult start to the campaign, collecting just one point from their opening four fixtures in the top flight.
However, three of their matches have been against Rennes, Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco respectively, the latter two games taking place away from home.
Wahi played the final 32 minutes of the defeat to PSG before failing to make an impact on his first start for the club against Monaco.
In sharp contrast, Wahi impressed for France Under-21s earlier this week, scoring twice in a 45-minute appearance as a substitute against Denmark.
Darren Plant
