Disappointed with the average first season of his Senegalese striker, Villarreal would like to part ways with Boulaye Dia this summer. And to replace the African Champion, the Yellow Submarine would have turned to the Senegalese nugget Nicolas Jackson.
Arrived from Stade de Reims last summer once morest 12 million euros, Boulaye Dia did not really convince Villarreal at the end of his first season. Without being an indisputable starter in Unai Emery Etxegoien’s starting lineup, the Senegalese striker ended the 2021-2022 financial year with 7 goals and 6 assists in 35 games in all competitions. Performances judged not up to par by the residents of the La Cerámica Stadium.
Behind his young compatriot Nicolas Jackson in the hierarchy
After having already experienced strong competition in attack with the presence of the essential Gerard Moreno, Arnaut Danjuma, Paco Alcácer, the Nigerian Samuel Chukwueze or Yéremy Pino, Boulaye Dia obviously knows that things should not work out for him this season. With the return on loan of young Fer Niño and the arrival of experienced former Levante captain José Luis Morales, he should find himself with very, if not too little playing time.
Moreover, faced with competition, it is not only foreigners who complicate the task of Boulaye Dia in the workforce of Villarreal. Indeed, the African Champion would be demoted in the hierarchy behind Nicolas Jackson, a 21-year-old attacking midfielder who can also play in different positions in attack. A hypothesis that was obviously felt during the superb preparation of Unai Emery’s men, who did not lose any of their 8 games, and once morest caliber opponents.
In eight preparation matches played by the Yellow Submarine, the African Champion only appeared five times for two starts and one goal scored, once morest his former team, Stade de Reims. Quite the opposite of the former Casa Sports player. Established five times by Unai Emery and participating in all the meetings, Nico Jackson distinguished himself by scoring two goals and delivering three assists. Benefits that have largely convinced Villarreal.
Then to push Boulaye Dia towards the exit
Reasonably then, the leaders are campaigning for a place in the first team of the player but also a revaluation of his contract. As a result with the hatching of Nicolas Jackson, Villarreal wants to part ways with Boulaye Dia. The winners of the Europa League in 2021 even allowed themselves to negotiate behind the back of their striker until they reached an agreement with Salernitana. But the first Senegalese scorer at Stade Abdoulaye-Wade does not want to join Serie A.
On the other hand, aware of the inflexibility of its leaders to see him leave, Boulaye Dia is now exploring ways to leave the province of Castellón. But it won’t be to go anywhere. Indeed, the 26-year-old player, in the sights of Mallorca (LaLiga), would preferably return to Ligue 1 to sign for OGC Nice or a departure for the Premier League. But today, the Nice option seems the most likely. It remains to know the conditions of the operation between Villarreal and Nice…
wiwsport.com
