The player has made his choice, the clubs are haggling
Stade Rennais have a little over 24 hours left to land the centre-forward they need. For several days now, one name has sat at the heart of the deal: Boulaye Dia.
According to Foot Mercato, the Senegal international wants to move to Brittany. That is the first hurdle, and usually the hardest one to clear this late in the window. The second is Lazio, who value their striker at 10 million euros and were initially pushing for a permanent transfer.
Talks are now focused on a paid loan with an option to buy, a formula that would let Rennes spread the cost. A swift conclusion is expected.
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A squad need, not a late-window whim
The Rennes situation explains the urgency. Franck Haise effectively has only Esteban Lepaul as a recognised centre-forward. The club’s main scorer netted twice on Sunday against Le Mans (3-2) and already has three goals in two matches, but a squad in the Europa League does not get through a full season with just one proper No 9.
Ludovic Ajorque was also linked. Dia’s name has stayed in the mix, driven by a player who has already proven himself in Ligue 1 and does not need time to get used to French football.
A sign from Rome
There is another clue from Italy. Lazio are already working on a replacement for Boulaye Dia, which suggests the Roman club has already built his exit into its late-window planning. Few clubs go looking for a successor to a player they expect to keep.
What remains is to settle the loan fee and the terms of the buy option. At this stage, those kinds of details are often sorted in one phone call, or not at all.
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