Premier League duo Leeds United and West Ham United to battle it out for Boulaye Dia.
According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Premier League sides Leeds United and West Ham United are both keeping close tabs on Salernitana star Boulaye Dia.
The 25-year-old is currently on loan at Italian side Salernitana from Spanish club Villarreal. Dia initially made a name for himself at the French side Reims before moving to the Estadio De La Ceramica in 2021.
He earned rave reviews on his debut against Chelsea in the 2021 UEFA Super Cup and played a role in the Yellow Submarines’ run to the UEFA Champions League last four in the 2021-22 season. Dia scored in the semi-final second leg against Liverpool as Unai Emery’s men threatened to pull off another shock. However, it was not to be.
Despite taking a step down with a move to Salernitana, Dia continues to shine and make heads turn with his performances. Primarily a centre-forward who is also capable of playing on the right, the Senegalese international packs a punch on his day.
A good dribbler who is also adept in the air, Dia has all the tools necessary to compete in the physically competitive Premier League. Playing under the right manager is what the attacker needs to develop his game as he enters his prime.
West Ham were keen on the 25-year-old last summer and continues to keep tabs despite landing Gianluca Scamacca. David Moyes’s men have not performed as per expectations this season and could do with some firepower up front. The only other striker on the team is Michail Antonio, who at 32, isn’t getting any younger.
The same can be said of Leeds United, who lack an infallible goalscorer. Jesse Marsch has shown he can nurture serial goalscorers in the past and there is every reason to believe Dia can follow in the same footsteps. Patrick Bamford has struggled with injuries, while Rodrigo is far from prolific.
The Peacocks have strength in numbers up front with Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood in the ranks. The duo are, however, young and cannot be relied upon consistently. Dia does add a reliable alternative for Marsch to make use of.
Salernitana do have the freedom to sign the player on permanently for €12m at the end of his loan spell. Dia, for his part, is keen to move to England, and it remains to be seen if that will make the difference should it come to a bidding war. Should he continue to perform, there should be no shortage of suitors once the transfer window opens.
