Ligue 1 Club Enquires About Misfiring Lazio Forward

French side Rennes could launch a late-summer onslaught for versatile Lazio attacker Boulaye Dia, who remains a starter in Gennaro Gattuso’s lineup.

Boulaye Dia’s Career Path & Lazio Stint

The 29-year-old is a former Villarreal player who earned fame in Italy during his time at Salernitana, especially after scoring 16 Serie A goals in the 2022/23 campaign. In the summer of 2024, he joined Lazio on loan before sealing a permanent transfer for €15 million earlier this summer.

The Senegalese international found mild success in his first season at the Stadio Olimpico while playing as a second striker behind Taty Castellanos, but he always struggled when asked to lead the line. This summer, Dia has been particularly wasteful in front of goal, whether in pre-season friendlies or in the embarassing Coppa Italia defeat to Mantova, where he was arguably the worst player on the pitch.

Rennes Interested in Dia

At this stage, the majority of Lazio fans believe the club should get rid of Dia, and there could finally be an opening on this front. According to Italian journalist Matteo Moretto, Stade Rennais have enquired about the former Salernitana star.

Why Lazio Are Reluctant to Send Dia to Rennes

La Lazio Siamo Noi confirm that the Ligue 1 club has indeed sought information on the Senegalese striker, while proposing a loan move with an option to buy at the end of the season. However, the Biancocelesti aren’t in favour of this formula.

Moreover, the source insists the Italian capital side cannot afford to part ways with Dia before finding a replacement, especially with Gennaro Gattuso favouring him over Petar Ratkov.

Lazio Struggling to Find a New Striker

Lazio were on the cusp of signing a new centre-forward in Bamba Dieng, but the deal collapsed due to a failed medical. The Biancocelesti are still expected to buy a new striker, but his identity remains shrouded in mystery, although Sassuolo’s Andrea Pinamonti appears to be the most popular name at the moment.