Recent reports from Le10 Sport suggest that Everton are all set to battle out the likes of Arsenal for the signature of Stade De Reims striker Boulaye Dia.
The Senegalese striker requested for a move last summer but ended up staying at Stade Auguste-Delaune due to lack of reasonable offers. However, rival teams like Marseille and Lyon have been scouting him for over a year now.
Dia’s Prolific Form In The Ligue 1 This Season
The 24-year-old striker has been in red-hot form in front of the goal this season, netting eight goals in twelve league appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit. To put it in perspective, it’s the same amount of goals he scored in the whole of last season and just two goals less than the competition top-scorer Kylian Mbappe.
Dia has managed to put up some impressive numbers this year – averaging 2.8 shots, 0.8 key passes and 1.3 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Ligue 1. Moreover, he has shown the pace to run in behind the opposing defences and once he gets into the box, he’ll either hold the possession to get his team-mates involved or look for a precise finish. On top of that, the Senegalese attacker possesses great strength, an attribute that often helps him to win aerial and ground duels high up the pitch.
In an interview with Le10 Sport last month, Liverpool forward Sadio Mane spoke very highly about his fellow countryman.
“I do not I didn’t know him before, but since the start of the season I’ve started following him, and I’m really impressed with his qualities. I think it will not last there, it will not last in Reims believe me! ” – Mane stated.
(Stats from WhoScored)
What Will The Senegalese Centre-Forward Add To Carlo Ancelotti’s Side?
With fixtures coming thick and fast for the Merseyside club, Everton are expected to be in the January transfer market for a back-up striker to Dominic Calvert Lewin – and Dia fits the bill. Having said that, the Senegal star might come in for a fee of around €10 million which means that it won’t necessarily burn a hole in the club’s pocket.
However, if Ancelotti decides to get him on-board, it’ll be more of a gamble from the Italian coach as the Premier League will undoubtedly be a huge step-up from Ligue 1. The English top-flight has a reputation of its own when it comes to testing players emotionally and physically.
Nonetheless, with the wide array of skills the Senegalese front-man possesses, it won’t be much of a surprise if he breaks into the scene with properly managed game time.
