Arsenal will be happy to offer young midfield prospect Charlie Patino in the deal to sign Boulaye Dia from Serie A club Salernitana.
According to a report by Salernonotizie, Boulaye Dia is the subject of interest from Arsenal. The Gunners want to sign a striker in the January transfer window. And they are ready to offer Charlie Patino and £13 million in the deal to sign the 27-year-old striker from Serie A club Salernitana.
Boulaye Dia: Who is He?
Boulaye Dia has found a stable footing in his career since joining Salernitana. The Senegalese international spent his formative years in France and rose to prominence during his three-year stint with Stade Reims. A short move to Villarreal did not work well for him, and Salernitana snapped him up on loan in August 2022.
The 27-year-old enjoyed an excellent loan stint with Salernitana, with the Serie A club completing a permanent move this past summer. But Dia has not been at his best thus far this term, managing only four goals in 13 appearances. Nonetheless, the French-born striker’s stock remains high, with Arsenal interested in him.
Arsenal Calling?
Arsenal will likely enter the market for a striker in the January transfer window. Widespread reports have linked the North London club with many centre-forwards, with Ivan Toney and Dusan Vlahovic emerging as targets. So, Arsenal’s interest in Boulaye Dia is surprising.
While the 27-year-old enjoyed an excellent 2022/23 season with Salernitana, he has failed to replicate those performances thus far this term. Nonetheless, the report claims Arsenal will look to complete a part-exchange deal to sign the Senegalese international from the Serie A club in January.
Arsenal will offer Charlie Patino in the part-exchange deal to secure Dia’s services. The operation will also include a cash payment of £13 million. That should be an attractive offer to sign the 27-year-old striker from Salernitana. But Arsenal’s young midfield prospect is also a target for other Serie A clubs, including Juventus.
Recent reports have also claimed that the Bianconeri might offer Moise Kean in the deal to sign Patino from Arsenal. So, it will be interesting to see if the Gunners succeed in landing Boulaye Dia in January. But prioritising other targets over the former Villarreal striker might be sensible.
