Alledged Everton target Dia interested in Premier League move
Senegal striker and rumoured Everton target Boulaye Dia is open to a possible move to the English Premier League, perhaps as early as January.
That’s according to reports in the media, which also claim Everton have already made a speculative offer for him of around £15 million.
If this is true they will likely face competition from Leeds United who are also suposedly interested in trying to sign Dia in January.
Leeds though are being linked with a New Year move for Chris Woods, their former centre-forward who is currently at Newcastle United, so may not in the end move for Dia.
The 26-year-old is a player we’ve recently mentioned along with another forward who the Blues’ have apparently been watching recently.
It’s obviously still not clear whether any of these reports are true and if Dia is one of the names on the list of targets that manager Frank Lampard and Kevin Thelwell are focussing on.
Dia does have the profile of the sort of attacking player who might well offer the Toffees’ the additional firepower they so desperately need during the second half of the season.
The Senegal international, who will likely line up against England tonight in their World Cup last 16 match, has a complicated club situation.
At the moment, he’s on loan to the Italians Salernitana from Villarreal in Spain and it seems as though the Italians want to sign him permanently before selling him on again, possibly to Everton.
On paper Dia looks as though he could have the qualities the Blues’ need to improve the side’s anemic attack. He is also likely to be available for a more reasonable fee than some other options being mentioned in the media.
In other news that might boost that attacking threat, it seems as though Andros Townsend is edging closer to an earlier return to fitness after his long spell out injured.
The 2021 free agent signing has been absent for nearly twelve months after suffering horrendous knee ligament damage that has kepy him sidelined since.
Townsend who was a Rafa Benitez signing of course, had a decent start to his Everton career and his pace, ability to cross the ball and score the odd spectacular goal would surely be welcome.
So, while the 31-year-old isn’t likely to light up the league when he returns, he might well provide another wide attacking option and some creativity and goals.