---
title: "Leeds: Boulaye Dia backed to shine in the Premier League"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-premier-league-boulaye-dia-transfers-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2022-12-10T17:20:06Z"
modified: "2022-12-10T17:20:06Z"
---

# Leeds: Boulaye Dia backed to shine in the Premier League

**Rumoured [Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) transfer target Boulaye Dia is someone who could excel in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/), according to reliable journalist Ed Aarons.**

### The Lowdown: Dia linked with Leeds move

In recent times, the 26-year-old has been [linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-premier-league-boulaye-dia-transfer-news-updates/) with a move to the Whites, having [scored once](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/365122/Show/Boulaye-Dia) in four appearances for Senegal at the 2022 [World Cup](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/world-cup-2022/).

Dia is currently plying his trade on loan at Salernitana on loan from Villarreal, where he is in form, [netting six times](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/365122/Show/Boulaye-Dia) in just 10 Serie A starts so far this season.

A move to England now feels likely, however, and Leeds will certainly be hopeful – with La Gazzetta dello Sport (via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/leeds-united-muscle-beat-nottingham-forest-west-ham-signing/)) recently claiming Jesse Marsch’s side are in the running to sign him.

### The Latest: Attacker backed to excel in PL

Speaking to [*Give Me Sport*](https://www.givemesport.com/88091933-leeds-15m-striker-target-boulaye-dia-transfer-news-premier-league), Aarons, reacting to Leeds’ recent contention for the player, claimed that Dia could take to English football like a duck to water – further adding credence to the idea of him moving to Elland Road:

> “He’s on loan in Serie A this season with Salernitana from Villarreal.
>
> “And he made a bit of an impression in Spain last year as well, but I think he’s the sort of player that could do well in the Premier League. He’s 26 now, perhaps it’s time for him to make the move.”

[![Latest Leeds United updates](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-12/)

### The Verdict: Exactly what Whites need

Dia has been predominantly used as a [centre forward](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/365122/Show/Boulaye-Dia) this season and that is an area where Leeds have looked weak, with Patrick Bamford struggling with [injuries](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-bamford/verletzungen/spieler/183334) and Joe Gelhardt still a raw footballer.

The Senegalese could be a brilliant signing to add quality and depth in attack for the Whites, with Sadio Mane once [saying](https://www.ligue1.com/Articles/NEWS/2020/11/27/sadio-mane-tips-boulaye-dia-for-the-top) he was ‘really impressed’ by his compatriot.

It’s also very worth noting that the former Ligue 1 star has broken records at club level, becoming former side Reims’ [record top flight goalscorer](https://twitter.com/RBairner/status/1325463289162248192) this century back in 2020.

Dia’s record of [24 goals in 78 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/boulaye-dia/alletore/spieler/626913) in France in the past shows he can do it in a top European league, and if Leeds could beat others to his signature, it would feel like a coup.