Elye Wahi: Nice make effort to keep on-loan midfielder

French Ligue 1 strugglers, OGC Nice are making frantic efforts in a bid sign Ivory Coast midfielder Elye Wahi on permanent basis.

The 23-year-old has been a revelation since joining Nice from German Bundesliga club, Eintracht Frankfurt in January until the end of the season.

The Eagles, who are battling relegation, have been cushioned by the arrival of the former France youth international.

Elye Wahi has one cap for Ivory Coast

Wahi, who now represents the Ivory Coast national team, has scored four goals, provided one assist in 11 Ligue 1 appearances.

The club’s co-president, Maurice Cohen confirmed their resolve to regularize the deal of the former Olympique Marseille midfielder.

“We would like to keep him. In football, everything is possible.

“He is a very endearing young man,” said Cohen in an interview with Ici Azur.

OG Nice have blown cold this season, collecting a paltry 29 points from 30 matches and seated in 15th, three places above the drop zone.

Wahi, who previously played for Montpellier and Lens, switched allegiance to represent Ivory Coast after representing France at the youth level until the U-23.

In March, Wahi’s request to switch allegiance to Ivory Coast was approved by FIFA.

He has made a single appearance for the Elephants and that came during his debut against Scotland in their 1-0 international friendly win over Scotland on March 31.