It was hot, but Elye Wahi succeeded. In a situation of failure at Eintracht Frankfurt (1 goal in 25 matches), the young 23-year-old striker tried to find a smile again by returning to Ligue 1. Loaned to OGC Nice, the Ivorian international (2 caps) was keen to get back on track after difficult months spent in Marseille and Germany. And that’s what he did with 9 goals (2 assists) scored in 19 matches with the Gym. The native of Courcouronnes failed to offer the Coupe de France to the Aiglons (beaten 3-1 in the final by RC Lens), but he ensured the essential: remaining in Ligue 1. Nice would have kept him, but Eintracht did not want to hear about a new loan. Wahi therefore said goodbye to Gym lovers.
“In Nice, I arrived with a huge desire to do well. Today, I leave with the satisfaction of having accomplished my duty. These five months have been intense, sometimes difficult, but the main thing is there: the Aiglons remain in Ligue 1. Personally, I will never forget the love you gave me. Your encouragement, strength and support have been a constant fuel. Proud to have been one of you and to have evolved alongside a monument that deserved this great outcome: Dante. I’m taking a piece of the Gym with me: it will forever hold a special place in my heart. To all of OGC Nice, to my teammates, to the coach, to the staff and to all the people of Nice: Thank you! Issa Nissa »the player posted on his Instagram account last week.
Sell Wahi… to keep Kalimuendo
And now ? Under contract until 2030 with Eintracht, has Wahi convinced German leaders to trust him next season? Eighth in the last Bundesliga exercise, Randal Kolo Muani’s former team has a new coach, Adi Hütter. Enough to reshuffle the cards in favor of Wahi? Not so sure. THE Frankfurter Rundschau assures that Eintracht will now carefully monitor the performances of its striker at the 2026 World Cup. The media even assures that the club’s CEO, Markus Krösche, will be present in Toronto on June 20 for the clash between Germany and Ivory Coast. You will have understood: Frankfurt is banking on the successful loan to Nice and on a World Cup voucher from Wahi to try to recover the €26 million invested in Wahi in January 2025.
“This loan has been very positive from a sporting point of view. Wahi has regularly demonstrated his qualities in an ambitious championship, scoring important goals for Nice – particularly in the cup – and thus establishing himself as a serious candidate for the Ivorian selection at the World Cup. Our priority was for him to benefit from regular playing time, take responsibility and find his rhythm. These objectives were precisely achieved during the loan”sports director Timmo Hardung told the Eintracht website. Frankfurt is now crossing its fingers, because the possible transfer of Wahi would allow the Germans to complete a file currently considered too costly, namely the permanent transfer of Arnaud Kalimuendo. A player who impressed during his loan in Germany (6 goals in 19 matches), but for whom Nottingham Forest set a purchase option of €27 million.
