Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi open to OGC Nice return as Frankfurt favour permanent transfer

Ivory Coast international Elye Wahi is open to rejoining OGC Nice, but his future remains uncertain as Eintracht Frankfurt reportedly prefer a permanent transfer rather than another loan deal.

The 23-year-old forward has emerged as a priority target for the French club during the current transfer window after spending part of last season on loan at Nice.

While the Ligue 1 side are understood to be keen on bringing him back, negotiations face a significant obstacle because Frankfurt are only willing to consider a permanent move.

The contrasting positions of the two clubs have left Wahi’s next destination unresolved despite the player’s reported willingness to return to the French Riviera.

Wahi initially joined OGC Nice on loan during the winter transfer window after finding opportunities limited at Eintracht Frankfurt.

During his spell with the French club, the Ivory Coast international made 19 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals and providing two assists.

Those performances convinced Nice that the striker could continue to play an important role in their squad, prompting efforts to retain him after the loan spell ended.

However, Wahi returned to Germany following the conclusion of the agreement.

Despite his return, Frankfurt are still reportedly looking to move the forward on, although their preferred solution differs from Nice’s plans.

According to reports, the Bundesliga club want to complete a permanent transfer rather than approve a second loan spell.

That stance has complicated discussions with Nice, who are said to favour another temporary deal.

The financial demands involved in a permanent transfer are also understood to make such a move difficult at this stage.

As a result, negotiations remain at an impasse despite the continued interest from the French club.

For Wahi, a return to Nice appears to be an attractive option.

The striker is reportedly not opposed to rejoining the club, now managed by Olivier Pantaloni, where he previously enjoyed productive form.

His willingness to return could provide encouragement for Nice as they continue exploring ways to reach an agreement with Frankfurt.

The Ivorian’s situation reflects the difficult decisions many African players face when balancing regular playing opportunities with the financial realities of the transfer market.

Securing consistent first-team football is often viewed as an important step for players hoping to maintain their development and strengthen their standing at international level.

Although Wahi remains contracted to Eintracht Frankfurt, uncertainty over his long-term future has continued throughout the transfer window.

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Mubarak Haruna
Mubarak Haruna is an emerging force in African football journalism, recognised for his speed, accuracy and ability to break major stories. He specialises in breaking news, match coverage and multimedia storytelling across radio, television and digital platforms.He holds a degree in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and has developed his craft within some of Ghana’s leading media organisations. Mubarak has worked with the Multimedia Group, where he served as a sports radio and television presenter at Joy FM, while also contributing as a writer for Myjoyonline.com.Known for his sharp instincts and ability to deliver timely football stories, Mubarak has gained growing recognition for his impactful reporting and dedication to the profession.He is currently the Deputy Managing Editor of African.Football, where he plays a key role in driving editorial operations, breaking major stories and supporting the platform’s mission to deliver fast, reliable and high-quality African football content to a global audience.

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