Salernitana have three players at the World Cup, and TuttoSalernitana don’t have any problem saying the tournament is a ‘showcase’ for them and the ‘hour of truth’ for their futures.
One of those is Boulaye Dia, who arrived on loan from Villarreal, then managed by Unai Emery, in the last summer window. That loan lasts for the rest of the season and there’s a buyout clause at the end of it.
Dia has played both of Senegal’s games at this World Cup, losing to the Netherlands and scoring in a victory over Qatar. TuttoSalernitana say he’s convincing the club to use their option, but that doesn’t mean he’ll absolutely stay where he is.
Aston Villa are credited with an interest, with the Emery connection made clear.
However, if the manager didn’t see a place for him at Villarreal, to the point of loaning him out, then it’s surely questionable whether he’d been so keen on a reunion at Aston Villa. Dia is 26-years-of-age, so it wasn’t a case of sending a player on loan for experience.
Nevertheless, the link is being made, and this time from close to the player’s current club. Dia will surely have to impress further at the World Cup, and when he returns to domestic football, to truly convince Emery that he’s worthy of a move to Aston Villa.
