The manager of Reims has heaped praise on striker Boulaye Dia, and sees the ace leaving the club, amid recent links to Newcastle United.
The star has been a fine fettle for the French outfit this term, scoring 14 goals in 26 games.
He is right up there with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Memphis Depay in the Ligue 1 goalscoring chart, and his great form has led to speculation he could leave.
The Senegal international has been with Reims since the summer of 2018, and has a contract until 2022, meaning there is a very reasonable chance he will depart this summer if he doesn’t extend his contract.
The Chronicle reported in November that Newcastle were on his tail, and now Reims boss David Guion has spoken about his main man.
In an honest interview with GFFN, he said: “So he is now ready to go up to the next level, a European club. He needs to choose a club where he will have playing time.
“He’s gone to another level with Reims this year, and another level again with his Senegal debut, knowing the quality of their strikers. Now it’s up to him to reach that next level with a European club and continue to progress.”
Guion also states in the interview that Reims are a club that know they have to sell their assets when the time is right.
He added: “When you’re the coach of Stade de Reims you know very well that we won’t be able to keep our best players – that there will be a turnover.”
Seal safety, move for Dia
It very much seems like Guion and Reims as a club expect to lose Dia this summer.
They know that’s just the way it is for them, and Newcastle have got to try and get in there.
Le10 Sport earlier this week that Reims could sell for around £13 million.
Realistically there will be no chance of any transfer if Newcastle go down, but if the Magpies can survive he should be at least considered.
Newcastle have of course had some success with Senegalese strikers in the past in the form of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse.