Elye Wahi: Arsenal target tipped to light up U21 Euros after France call-up
Sylvain Rippol describes what the tournament can expect from the highly sought-after striker
rsenal target Elye Wahi has been tipped to light up the European Under-21 Championship this summer after being called up by France.
Les Bleuets coach Sylvain Rippol has spoken out on the 20-year-old’s sterling season, which has earned him admiring glances from the Gunners and Newcastle, among others, after hitting 11 goals in his last 12 matches for Montpellier.
“How he ended the season completely illustrates his potential,” he told France Bleu.
“He's a racy player, a space-taking player who hurts the opponent in behind and who makes them retreat. There are not many like him. And when I see the form of Elye, over the last few months, of course the squad needs his qualities.”
Montpellier president Laurent Nicollin has recently admitted that Wahi “likes Arsenal a lot” ahead of a crucial summer in his future. Reports suggest a fee of around £35million would be enough to secure his future.
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But Rippol has urged against expecting too much of the French youth international at this stage of his career.
When asked about a potential call-up to the France senior squad, the U21s boss added: “I hold myself back from this kind of prognosis, you have to be much more reserved than that.
“It is obvious that the attack is not an easy position, and for him to already have this capacity to be as effective and as impactful in a Ligue 1 team is impressive.
“What's important is to keep your feet on the ground and to keep your head, to continue to progress and to continue to work. It's true that he has the talent to go very high.”