Why Brighton should grab the chance to sign Boulaye Dia in January
According to claims from French outlet Telefoot Chaine (h/t Sussex Live), Stade Reims director Mathieu Lacourt has opened the door for reported Brighton & Hove Albion target Boulaye Dia to seek an exit when the transfer window reopens in January.
The Seagulls had been mentioned among the potential suitors for Dia earlier in the summer but nothing came to fruition before the deadline as Reims refused to sanction a departure for the 23-year-old striker. (h/t Sussex Live)
However, Reims have now altered their stance on Dia and are ready to let him go in January if a suitable offer is put on the table. The director has also given the green light to a potential loan exit for the Senegalese during the mid-season trading period but a mandatory purchase clause will be included in any such agreement.
Profile
Boulaye Dia caught the eye for Jura Sud Foot in the French fourth-tier before earning a professional contract with Stade Reims in the summer of 2018. The centre-forward has since accumulated 15 goals and 2 assists in 56 appearances for Reims in all competitions so far.
The 23-year-old has made a stunning start to the ongoing campaign, scoring thrice in 5 league appearances for Reims so far. Dia’s impressive progress in Ligue 1 was recently rewarded with a senior international debut for Senegal in a friendly against Morocco.
Dia would add more depth to Brighton’s attack
Neal Maupay has been Brighton’s key weapon in front of goal since his arrival at the Amex Stadium from Brentford last summer. The Frenchman bagged 10 goals and 3 assists in his debut season in the PL last term. He has already hit the ground running with 4 goals in 4 league games for the Seagulls in the 2020-21 campaign.
Graham Potter has backed Aaron Connolly with regular starts over the past 12 months and while the Irish youngster has promised a lot, a tally of 4 goals in 28 league outings suggest that his end product hasn’t always been up to the mark.
Moreover, Brighton managed only 39 goals in the PL last season and they will surely need to improve on those numbers this time around if they are to push on for a top-ten finish. Maupay and Connolly are quality young strikers but the Seagulls certainly have enough room for a third centre-forward in their ranks.
Viktor Gyokeres has departed to join Swansea City on a season-long loan in the Championship while new signing Andi Zeqiri still needs time to get to grips with the English game, having previously plied his trade in the Swiss second-tier.
To that end, Brighton reigniting interest in Boulaye Dia during the January window would be an ideal solution to bolster their firepower in front of goal. The Senegalese international hasn’t really set the stage on fire in France but has racked up some decent numbers for a top-ten side in Ligue 1.
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Verdict
Brighton ideally need another out-and-out striker in their ranks and a potential deal for Boulaye Dia in January would certainly hand a massive boost to Graham Potter’s side midway through the campaign. The 23-year-old’s arrival would add more depth and quality to the club’s attack while also ensuring healthy competition for places up top.
The Senegalese striker still has his best years ahead of him at 23 and a positive start to his professional career makes him more than worth a punt for Brighton.
