Newcastle United have been monitoring the recent performances of Stade de Reims forward Boulaye Dia following the 24-year-old’s excellent start to the Ligue 1 campaign, according to Chronicle Live.
Dia had been linked with a potential switch to the Premier League over the summer, with Brighton believed to have been interested in the striker. However, a move failed to materialise and the 24-year-old has remained at Reims, where he has already bettered his 2020/21 return from the seven he scored last season (Transfermarkt).
The 24-year-old has registered an impressive tally of eight goals in his opening eight league matches this campaign, which leaves him as Ligue 1’s leading scorer ahead of World Cup winner Kylian Mbappé (Transfermarkt). That has reportedly alerted Marseille to his potential, while Brighton are also believed to be retaining their interest in him, per Chronicle Live.
Dia has seemingly emerged on Newcastle’s long list of potential transfer targets, with his recent hat-trick against Montpellier thought to have alerted his presence to the Magpies alongside scouts from other Premier League clubs, per Chronicle Live.
Read Newcastle verdict
Dia is clearly a player in exceptional form at the start of the season and he has been averaging an impressive 1.3 successful dribbles per game, as well as 2.3 shots and 0.8 key passes (Sofascore). That suggests he is not only a threat in the box but can also link the play and take on opposing defenders.
Newcastle lack another forward with the same sort of ability in front of goal, with Callum Wilson their only real threat in the final third. Therefore, a move for Dia could be a sensible option for the Magpies to provide some competition and cover for the Englishman for the second half of the campaign.
Given Dia’s form, it is no surprise to see other clubs taking an interest in him and that means that the Magpies might have to move swiftly to secure any potential move for him. However, if the 24-year-old continues his impressive form, it will only drive up his value, meaning Newcastle might be put off by a high valuation.
