Arsenal interested in surprise January move for Boulaye Dia

Arsenal are one of the clubs interested in signing Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia in January, according to Italian publication Il Mattino.

The Gunners have had another fine season. They are currently second in the Premier League and into the last 16 of the Champions League.

Despite this, there is room for improvement in the squad and there have been claims that the club could pursue a new striker in January.

Santos’ Marcos Leonardo has been heavily linked in recent days, but Il Mattino via SportDelSud report that Dia is on the Gunners’ radar.

The Senegal international currently has a low release clause of €21 million in his contract.

Meanwhile, Salernonotizie claim that Arsenal could sign him for around €13m this winter with Charlie Patino moving to the Serie A side.

Arsenal should target a better striker

Dia netted 16 times in the Italian top-flight last season and helped Salernitana avoid the drop.

He has failed to replicate the showing in the current campaign. The 27-year-old has just four goals from nine league games and has missed five matches with injuries.

In our view, the Gunners should avoid a move for the former Rennes man. He has been injury-prone this term and the club can’t afford another striker with fitness issues.

Instead, the hierarchy should look into a deal for Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy, who has been in exemplary form with 18 goals from just 14 appearances this season.

Guirassy has a low release clause of €17.5m in his contract. He would be a better signing over Dia as well as Leonardo, who has yet to play any European football.

However, it won’t be easy to lure the Guinean with Manchester United in the race. The striker may want assured starts which the Gunners may not guarantee him.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com