Boulaye Dia has remained in France ‘for personal problems’ while Salernitana and Paulo Sousa are waiting for him as the Granata continue being affected by a transfer saga involving the Senegal international and Wolverhampton.
The ex-Villarreal striker has not yet returned to Salerno after sustaining an injury during the international break. He is currently in France alongside his wife and relatives and his return to Italy is still uncertain.
Friday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport reports club director Morgan De Sanctis is in touch with the striker’s entourage, who have justified Dias’ absence by mentioning ‘personal problems.’
Salernitana had already booked medical examinations for Dia and the striker was fined circa €30,000, 15% of his monthly wages, for not respecting internal rules.
Dia had been omitted from the Salernitana squad for the last game before the break against Lecce on September 3 because of his attitude. De Sanctis publicly blamed Wolves for talking to the player’s entourage on the deadline day without contacting Salernitana.
The Premier League side wanted to sign Dia on a free loan deal with an option to buy for €18m. It was an offer the Granata could not accept as Dia was their best striker, with 16 goals in 33 appearances, in 2022-23.
Salernitana meet Torino away on Monday, and Sousa has few options to replace his star striker. Jovane Cabral could be deployed as a false nine, but he’s not fully fit, so Erik Botheim or new signing Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi could start in the upcoming Serie A game at the Stadio Arechi.