Everton are close to announcing their first signing of the winter transfer window in Arnaut Danjuma. The Toffees are still looking for another forward to strengthen the feeble attack. Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia is certainly attracting the attention of the club chiefs at Goodison Park.
The Toffees need to sign attackers in this window as they prepare for an ugly survival battle in the second half of the season. The lack of goals and attacking threat has been a major concern for the Merseysiders all season. The arrival of Danjuma will help the Toffees solve the problem to some extent but another ruthless centre forward is needed at the club.
At the same time, Everton need to ship off some players who are not part of Lampard’s plans. Michael Keane has seen his role reduced to a sporadic player with very limited playing opportunities. Since the arrival of James Tarkowski and Conor Coady in the summer, Keane has slipped down the pecking order, only making one Premier League appearance in the process.
Southampton inquired about the Englishman’s availability on loan for the remainder of the season. Salernitana have shown interest and are in dialogue with Keane’s agent. EFC seem open to the idea of offloading the former Burnley man as a departure will free up wages.
Everton discuss Boulaye Dia with Salernitana
While discussing Keane’s situation with Salernitana, Everton also discussed the name of Boulaye Dia, the Senegalese striker who is on loan at the Serie A club, as per TuttoSalernitana. Salernitana signed Dia on loan in the summer from Villarreal. The Serie A club can make the move permanent next summer by paying €12 million to Villarreal.
As per the report, Everton admires Dia and have been keeping tabs on his situation. However, any sort of deal won’t happen in January as Dia is still contracted at Villarreal. Salernitana and Everton will discuss Dia once again in June when the Italian club activates the buy clause in Dia’s contract.
Till then, even Everton’s situation will be clear, if they manage to pull themselves out of the relegation mess. The 26 year old is an exciting striker, who has netted seven goals in 17 Serie A games this season. If the Toffees survive the relegation battle, they will want to strengthen their squad in the summer and Dia remains a name that is admired among the club hierarchy.
Should the Toffees sign Boulaye Dia in the summer?