Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia put Senegal ahead against Qatar: here’s what you may not know about the 26-year-old.
The Senegal international joined Salernitana on an initial loan deal with an option to buy worth €12m from Villarreal last summer and has impressed in Serie A this term thanks to six goals and two assists in 14 appearances.
He has already become the most prolific player in a single Serie A campaign for the Granata, equalling Marco Di Vaio’s six goals in 22 appearances in 1998-99.
Dia already made his debut on the big stage this past May when he scored a goal for Villarreal in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals against Liverpool at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
It was not enough for the Yellow Submarine to earn a spot in the Final, but the 26-year-old attracted interest from many clubs and Salernitana eventually secured his services last summer despite interest from other clubs, including Tottenham and West Ham.
The 26-year-old scored seven goals in 35 appearances across all competitions last season and according to multiple reports in Italy, Salernitana have already decided to make his move permanent next summer, knowing that several European clubs will make offers for him in 2023.
The latest report of Gazzetta Dello Sport at the start of November suggested that Dia dreams of joining a Premier League club.
Salernitana thought they would earn at least €16-17m from his sale, but if Dia continues to impress in Qatar, then his price tag will naturally rise.
According to the report, West Ham remain interested in the Senegal international and so are Nottingham Forrest and Leeds United, but he could also stay in Serie A as he’s a suitable striker especially for those teams who play with two forwards, like Inter, Atalanta or Juventus.