On Christmas Eve, Gianluca Di Marzio explained that Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth made a trip to Italy to watch three Salernitana players, including Boulaye Dia, live in action against AC Milan.
Two days later, Tutto Salernitana stated the Magpies have already shown interest in the 27-year-old, who could leave the Serie A side in January.
Newcastle’s interest in the striker is further backed up by Carmine Raiola, who is an expert on things related to the Italian club. He shared an update when speaking to Radio Bruno, relayed by Labaro Viola.
“A strong player, he makes the team come up for you and makes the team score for you. Everyone remembers the hat-trick against Fiorentina,” he said.
“He wants to leave Salerno. [Salernitana director Walter] Sabatini was clear, the attacker must be sold permanently.”
“Just think, Milan had offers of €15m and they were rejected. Fiorentina, if interested, will have to spend €21m. But with technical counterparts the price could be lowered.
“For me he will go away, just look at what happened in the summer. Very strong, but with a truly complicated character. From abroad, Frankfurt and Newcastle like him.”
Sabatini has publicly stated Dia will only leave the club this month through a permanent sale. This is why Salernitana have already rejected Wolverhampton Wanderers’ proposal of a loan deal with a purchase option.
Newcastle have been told they have to pay €21m and it needs to be seen whether they’ll invest this on the frontman in January.
Dia is currently nursing an injury but is still included in the Senegal squad for AFCON.
