Boulaye Dia has attracted the attention of Brighton and Hove Albion (Getty Images)
According to Yorkshire Post, Brighton and Hove Albion are interested in Stade de Reims forward Boulaye Dia.
The 23-year-old Dia has impressed for the Ligue 1 side this season, scoring 8 goals from 28 matches across all competitions and is valued at around £13million.
He is currently his side’s top-scorer in the league with 7 to his name, making him one of the first few names on the team sheet. Having joined in the summer of 2018 from former side Jura Sud Foot, Dia has racked up 12 goals and 2 assists for Reims, indicating that he is clearly not short of talent.
A goal-scoring forward, Dia is also equally capable of playing on the right flank, as he has done so this term for Reims by featuring four times for them in the league. Having proved himself at such a short time in the French top-flight, Premier League side Brighton have now expressed an interest in him.
The Seagulls have only managed a mere 34 goals from their overall 30 league matches so far this season, giving a clear idea of the side’s dearth of sharpness in the attack.
They bought Neal Maupay from Championship side Brentford in the summer. The 23-year-old has lived up to his expectations by scoring 9 goals and 2 assists from 29 league games. However, apart from him, none of the side’s strikers have managed to deliver the goods.
Brighton also have veteran Glenn Murray and academy graduate Aaron Connolly in the side but the two of them have been largely inconsistent. A first-choice striker for the Seagulls in the past few years, the 34-year-old Murray has suffered a dip in form. He has managed just one goal this season, showing clear signs of ageing.
Connolly, meanwhile, needs to improve a lot more, having managed just two goals despite featuring 18 times in the league this term. Hence, it is obvious that Brighton need another established striker in their midst and Dia seems to be a good option.
Having proved himself at the highest level in France, he could be an excellent addition to Potter’s side if they wish to climb the ladder next season.
Except for Maupay, the rest of Brighton’s strikers have failed to impress, meaning Dia’s arrival will only make them stronger. His inclusion will ease the burden on main striker Maupay. Hence, they should not think twice but land him soon.
