Everton and Arsenal eye explosive Lyon target being considered as Depay successor
![Reims' French forward Boulaye Dia celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Stade de Reims at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, on August 10, 2019. (Photo by GERARD JULIEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images) Reims' French forward Boulaye Dia celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Stade de Reims at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, on August 10, 2019. (Photo by GERARD JULIEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/7aff1370d62cd71ab2886455ae1dd31e85df8df4e371920a3e3a7137237c9973.jpg)
Everton and Arsenal are tracking Olympique Lyon target Boulaye Dia.
According to French Publication Le10 Sport, Everton and Arsenal are tracking Stade Reims striker Boulaye Dia. The Senegalese forward is lighting up the Ligue 1 with his explosive performances. The Reims forward has netted 8 goals in 12 Ligue 1 games, only behind Kylian Mbappe in the golden boot race.
This is not the first time Dia is attracting interest from bigger teams. He has been tracked by Olympique Marseille for over a year and still remains a hot topic of discussion among the Marseille officials.
Olympique Lyon are also closely watching the Senegal international and may attempt to lure him to Groupama Stadium in case Memphis Depay leaves the French team. Depay is a prime Barcelona target and a move for the Dutchman in January is not ruled out.
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Lyon forward Moussa Dembele also attracts European teams towards him and if he or Depay are to leave, Lyon will turn to Dia. Stade Reims could receive enquiry and bids in the winter transfer window with French and English clubs encircling around the 24 year old.
Who is Boulaye Dia?
Dia arrived at Stade Reims in 2018 from Jura Sud, a team currently playing in the fourth tier of French Football. Les rouges et Blancs had just achieved promotion on Ligue 1 after winning the Ligue 2 in 2017-18. The Senegal international, in his first season, scored 4 goals in 21 games.
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However, the 2019-20 season can be termed as a breakout season for the 24 year old as he became one of the most important players in the attack, scoring 8 goals and helping Reims clinch the sixth spot in the table.
After a solid season, he was expecting lucrative offers on his table but with less than satisfactory offers arriving, Dia chose to stay with Reims and continue his ventures in France.
Dia is a strong, quick and an intuitive striker who loves to take on defenders. He’s one of the best finishers in 1v1 situations in France. He likes to remain close to the last line of opposition defence and take advantage of any misplaced pass or loose balls. Lurking around the defence, he becomes an option for long passes and cross field through balls.
Now that Europe takes notice of his talent and potential, Dia could be on the shortlist of a number of clubs. Even though he is contracted till 2022, a transfer could be on the cards considering that Reims sits 19th in the table and have very little incentive to convince the 24 year old to stay.
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Will we see Everton make an enquiry for Boulaye Dia?