Arsenal are set to make their first bid for Montpellier striker Elye Wahi, according to a report from France.

Arsenal transfers - Montpellier's French forward Elye Wahi celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and Montpellier Herault SC at The Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central-eastern France on May 7, 2023. (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Images)
Montpellier’s French forward Elye Wahi celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and Montpellier Herault SC at The Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central-eastern France on May 7, 2023. (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Images)

FootMercato report that Arsenal and AS Monaco have taken the lead in the race to sign Elye Wahi this summer, with the striker very likely to leave Montpellier.

Arsenal have reportedly been following and scouting Wahi for many months, and they’re set to make their first offer for a transfer.

Montpellier's French forward Elye Wahi (L) stands next to French former football player Thierry Henry after receiving the best goal of the year award during the 31th edition of the UNFP (French National Professional Football players Union) trophy ceremony, in Paris May 28, 2023. (Photo by BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images)
Montpellier’s French forward Elye Wahi (L) stands next to French former football player Thierry Henry after receiving the best goal of the year award during the 31th edition of the UNFP (French National Professional Football players Union) trophy ceremony, in Paris May 28, 2023. (Photo by BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images)

Though the exact value of that bid isn’t known, it’s believed to be below the €30-35m that Montpellier want.

Monaco remain keen despite the high price, and they could reportedly make the argument that Wahi needs a stepping-stone club before moving to the Premier League.

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The 20-year-old has 17 goals and six assists in 32 games for Montpellier this season, as well as scoring once in his three cameo appearances for the France u21s (totalling just 76 minutes on the pitch).

Montpellier's French forward Elye Wahi celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and Montpellier Herault SC at The Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central-eastern France on May 7, 2023. (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Images)
Montpellier’s French forward Elye Wahi celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and Montpellier Herault SC at The Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central-eastern France on May 7, 2023. (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Images)

Yet it would be somewhat surprising to see Arsenal bid for Wahi, as recent reports have suggested the Gunners are unlikely to pursue a centre-forward this summer.

Whilst there’s clearly a lot of interest in strengthening the midfield, as well as adding a versatile defender, and possibly a winger to provide cover for Bukayo Saka, David Ornstein recently told FIVE that he hasn’t heard anything about a striker search.

Montpellier's French forward Elye Wahi (L) celebrates with Montpellier's Guinean defender Issiaga Sylla after he scored his team's first goal during the French L1 football match betwen Montpellier Herault SC and Clermont Foot 63 at the mosson stadium in Montpellier, southern France, on March 19, 2023. (Photo by PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)
Montpellier’s French forward Elye Wahi (L) celebrates with Montpellier’s Guinean defender Issiaga Sylla after he scored his team’s first goal during the French L1 football match betwen Montpellier Herault SC and Clermont Foot 63 at the mosson stadium in Montpellier, southern France, on March 19, 2023. (Photo by PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)

“I don’t hear big suggestions that they are going to be bringing in a striker,” Ornstein said. “I think they’re focused on those other positions (a defender, a midfielder, possibly a winger).

“There was a report in The Times suggesting they may be able to make about £100m (in sales).

“So with Champions League revenues, with the existing commitment of the Kroenkes, who have put their money where their mouths are, with potential sales, then it could be a really big summer of investment.”

Montpellier's French forward Elye Wahi (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the French L1 football match between Montpellier Herault SC and Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) at The Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, southern France on February 12, 2023. (Photo by PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)
Montpellier’s French forward Elye Wahi (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the French L1 football match between Montpellier Herault SC and Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) at The Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, southern France on February 12, 2023. (Photo by PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)

Ornstein mentioned Eddie Nketiah’s new contract as one reason why Arsenal might not be looking for a striker this summer, even if Folarin Balogun leaves, and that’s certainly true.

The Gunners made two significant commitments to the centre-forward position by signing Gabriel Jesus and extending Nketiah’s deal in 2022, less than a year ago.

There’s also Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, who played the position in Jesus and Nketiah’s absence to good effect.

The only thing that might have changed since those comments is that Reiss Nelson is now looking more likely to extend his contract.

Perhaps that might shift the focus from a wide-forward signing to a centre-forward signing, but that’s just speculation for the time being.

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