Reports surfacing about Tottenham’s potential bid for Montpellier striker
By Gary Pearson
![Montpellier's French forward Elye Wahi celebrates scoring his team's third goal during during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and Montpellier Herault SC at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France on June 3, 2023. (Photo by Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP) (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images) Montpellier's French forward Elye Wahi celebrates scoring his team's third goal during during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and Montpellier Herault SC at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France on June 3, 2023. (Photo by Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP) (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/2e1d250d7b275d80b4b6fc902c4af04570d90cd022adc310b1e70f37498c9554.jpg)
Local Montpellier publication @Midilibre today broke a story, saying Tottenham is set to make a bid for Elye Wahi as a long-term Harry Kane replacement.
🚨| #Tottenham are set to make a bid for Montpellier striker Elye Wahi in the next few hours! @Midilibre pic.twitter.com/9LWXjSP5Wq
— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) July 26, 2023
Tons of questions come to mind.
First, how reliable is @Midilibre? The publication is convinced it has a verifiable scoop, but mainstream outlets have reported nothing since the story broke this morning.
So that splashes a canvas of doubt over the speculation. Also, why would Tottenham bid for a potential Kane replacement if Daniel Levy is unwilling to sell his franchise asset?
Does it mean Levy is coming around to the idea of selling Kane? Does he think Bayern Munich’s third bid will finally meet his asking price?
With all these questions unanswered, seeing if this story develops further will be interesting. Regarding the player himself, Elye Wahi is a highly touted 20-year-old who has a limitless ceiling, at least in terms of potential.
He is under contract at Montpellier until the end of the 2025 campaign. He scored 19 goals and added six assists in 33 Ligue 1 appearances last season, his third season in France’s top flight.
Wahi, via Transfermarkt, is reportedly worth €35 million, though that valuation is probably €10 million too low. Of course, Wahi can’t be considered a Kane replacement, as nobody can replace Spurs’ legendary striker.
However, he has the potential to be a star in the Premier League.
He’s quick, strong, agile, and has a lethal instinctive finishing touch. He’d almost certainly and immediately compete with Richarlison as Spurs’ first-choice forward if Kane leaves.
There is, however, a caveat to that assumption.
Many young foreign signings have trouble adapting to the Premier League’s physicality, speed, and relentlessness, so his transition to the first team would be predicated on how quickly he would assimilate.
Hold on a second, though. Wow. I’m getting way ahead of myself.
Kane is staying, right? And I still have more questions than answers regarding the reputability of @Midilibre’s sources.
How did they get this scoop, and why hasn’t it been reported elsewhere? Probably because it’s another rumour that will fade into this evening’s Montpellier darkness.