Aston Villa are being linked with Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia but a move seems doubtful given his history with Unai Emery.
Emery has enjoyed a great start to life as Aston Villa boss.
Two Premier League games, two wins over Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion, five goals scored.
From two wins in the first 11 games of the season under Steven Gerrard to two in two under Emery, this is a great start.
Emery will still want January signings and a number of players he coached at Villarreal have been linked.
Aston Villa are being linked with Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia
Pau Torres, Samuel Chukwueze, Yeremy Pino, Nicolas Jackson… they have all been tipped to join Villa.
Now the rumour mill has churned out a name who used to play for Emery at Villarreal but is now playing elsewhere.
Tutto Salernitana claim that Aston Villa are in the race to sign Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia.
The same outlet reported earlier this week state that Leeds United, Everton, Leicester City and West Ham United are all chasing Dia.
Villa are being mentioned as well given that Dia used to play under Emery at Villarreal.
The 26-year-old had been prolific at Reims, so Villarreal swooped in 2021 to sign the Senegal striker.
Yet with just five goals in 25 league games, Emery allowed Dia to join Salernitana on loan with an option to buy.
There has been friction too as agent Frederic Guerra was quoted as saying that he and Dia were ‘surprised’ when Emery wanted another striker.
They felt that Dia had done well but learned that Emery wanted another striker, so he was on his way out.
It therefore seems unlikely that Dia and Guerra would risk a repeat performance by joining Villa, and it seems similarly unlikely that Emery would even be trying to sign him again.
Dia is playing well in Italy and has scored at the World Cup but we’re doubting a move to Villa materialises in 2023.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
