Lazio striker Boulaye Dia has received the green light to return to his native country of France and sign for Stade Rennais.
The Senegalese international has been with the Biancocelesti since making the move from Salernitana in the summer of 2024. However, he only managed to deliver the goods in his first few months at the club, when he played as a second striker/attacking midfielder behind Taty Castellanos in Marco Baroni's 4-2-3-1 formation.
Boulaye Dia and Yunus Musah (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
On the contrary, the 29-year-old has been unable to impose himself as a goal threat when playing as a centre-forward in the 4-3-3 system adopted by Maurizio Sarri last season and Gennaro Gattuso this term. Therefore, a separation is arguably the best choice for both parties.
In recent days, reports from Italy and France revealed Rennes' desire to bring Dia back to France, the country he left in 2021 when he signed for Villarreal. And now, multiple sources, including Alfredo Pedulla , confirm that the two clubs have reached a final agreement, with the player also agreeing to make the move.
According to Sky Sport Italia transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio , Dia has left Lazio and will undergo his medical at Rennes on Tuesday morning before signing his contract. The source expects the overall cost of the operation to reach €10 million, which should be sufficient for the Biancocelesti to avoid a capital loss on the player whom they have recently purchased for a reported €11.3 million.
La Lazio Siamo Noi add that the Senegalese player will initially join Stade Rennais on loan. The deal includes an option to buy that would turn into an obligation based on easily achievable sporting objectives. Dia will thus leave Lazio having made 81 appearances and registering 14 goals and six assists.
