Newcastle United are keen to sign Ligue 1’s top scorer Boulaye Dia from Reims when the transfer window opens in January, according to The Chronicle.
It’s not often Sadio Mane is outscored by one of his Senegal teammates but, with eight goals in just eight games so far, Dia is in the form of his life.
The versatile 23-year-old became the first Reims player to score a Ligue 1 hat-trick since 1978, against Montpellier in October, and his brace in the recent 4-4 draw with Lens was a joy to behold.
Unfortunately for Reims, however, the prospect of keeping hold of their star man beyond the winter is becoming increasingly unlikely.
The Chronicle reports Newcastle have joined Marseille and Brighton and Hove Albion for the signature of the £13 million-rated attacker.
“You understand why I was very happy he remained with us (over the summer). With his goals, he allowed us to move up the table,” Reims coach David Guion told Telefoot this weekend.
“We need him. We will see in the (January) transfer window what happens for Boulaye.”
Newcastle have one of the Premier League’s most prolific forwards in their ranks but a potentially lengthy spell on the sidelines for Callum Wilson means Steve Bruce will be forced to rely on the famously unreliable Joelinton in the final third for the next few weeks.
Brighton, meanwhile, appear to be one reliable centre-forward away from the comfort of mid-table.
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