Stade Rennais FC have secured a personal agreement with striker Boulaye Dia for a transfer, according to a report from Foot Mercato. The Breton club is seeking to replace Breel Embolo, who joined Atlanta United for a fee of 17 million euros, with an additional 1 million in potential bonuses.
Discussions have intensified in recent days to bring the Senegalese international back to Ligue 1. A complete understanding has been reached between Stade Rennais FC' management and the entourage of the 29-year-old player. Dia is open to a return to France to revive his career after three seasons at Lazio. However, Stade Rennais FC and the Roman club have not yet agreed on the terms of the transfer. Negotiations are ongoing to bridge the gap before the deadline, which is set for Tuesday evening.
Why Stade Rennais are targeting Boulaye Dia
The search for a new centre-forward became a priority following Breel Embolo's departure. Franck Haise's team needs additional offensive options, a need highlighted by the 2-2 draw against PSG on the opening day. The loan of Jordan James to Wolverhampton has also altered the midfield balance. Boulaye Dia represents an experienced profile, with a strong knowledge of the French championship from his time at Stade de Reims. For Lazio, he has scored 14 goals and provided 5 assists in 79 matches since his permanent move from Salernitana for 11 million euros. His contract in Rome runs until 2028.
What is the state of negotiations with Lazio
The personal agreement is a major step, but the deal is far from complete. The main obstacle remains an agreement between the two clubs on the transfer fee. Talks are continuing to bring the parties' positions closer together. Time is of the essence with an imminent transfer deadline. This situation adds pressure to reach a compromise. You can track the squad's evolution on our dedicated squad page.
How Dia would fit into Haise's system
At 29, Boulaye Dia would bring experience and finishing inside the box. His profile as a mobile goalscorer could complement the other offensive options already in the group. His familiarity with Ligue 1 is a significant asset for a quick integration. The team will face Le Mans for its second match of the season, a fixture where new attacking solutions could be valuable. The full schedule is available on our fixtures page.
The next steps now depend on Stade Rennais FC' ability to find common ground with Lazio in the coming hours. A failure in negotiations would force the club to turn to other targets in very little time. This operation is key for the squad's depth ahead of the long season ahead, which you can follow via the standings.
