---
title: "West Ham may have identified their Haller replacement in Boulaye Dia"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/01/08/boulaye-dia-transfer-rumours-haller-replacement/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-01-08T08:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-08T08:00:00Z"
---

# West Ham may have identified their Haller replacement in Boulaye Dia

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/07/west-ham-fans-sebastien-haller-ajax-transfer-latest/) will no doubt be on the lookout for a replacement for [Sebastien Haller](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/07/west-ham-fans-sebastien-haller-ajax-transfer-latest/) as the [striker heads to Dutch giants Ajax](https://www.goal.com/en/news/west-hams-haller-closes-on-25m-ajax-move/1b7cft6smno9v19i0hbwn5dn36) in a deal believed to be worth around £22m.

According to French outlet [Le10 Sport](https://le10sport.com/football/mercato/exclu-mercato-om-un-club-anglais-fonce-sur-boulaye-dia-532313?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter), the Hammers may have already found their man in the shape of Reims forward [Boulaye Dia](https://readwestham.com/2020/12/21/west-ham-lead-transfer-race-for-reims-boulaye-dia/) – who the Irons see Dia as a ‘hot track’ – and David Moyes could well be in line to [beat off competition](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-transfer-target-boulaye-dia-19291454) for the 24-year-old’s signature.

Back in May, it looked as though the centre-forward was heading to Brighton, during which time [he said](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2020/exclusive-boulaye-dia-lyon-did-a-wrist-test-to-assess-future-growth-and-told-me-that-i-wouldnt-grow-much/) he ‘would like experience in England’.

Dia has been in inspired form this season and has [10 goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/boulaye-dia/leistungsdaten/spieler/626913) in his opening 16 Ligue 1 matches. A Senegal international by way of his citizenship to the African nation, he only made the rise to professional football in 2018 after [completing a move](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/boulaye-dia/transfers/spieler/626913) from French fourth-tier side Jura Sud.

International teammate and [2019 Premier League Golden Boot winner](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/349839-mohamed-salah-sadio-mane-premier-league-golden-boot#:~:text=Sadio%20Mane%20and%20Mohamed%20Salah%20have%20won%20the%20Premier,Boot%20with%2022%20goals%20apiece.&text=Mane%20moved%20level%20with%20his,Wanderers%20at%20Anfield%20on%20Sunday.) Sadio Mane has [praised the striker in the past](https://www.foot-sur7.fr/453364-stade-de-reims-mercato-dia-sadio-mane), stating how impressed he was with Dia whilst tipping him for the top.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Brace yourself for a [barrage of centre-forward rumours](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/07/five-strikers-who-could-replace-sebastien-haller-at-west-ham/) involving West Ham this month as Haller heads for the exit.

Dia has enjoyed a [rapid rise to prominence](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/boulaye-dia/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/626913) and is currently hot property. With a [market value of £10.8m](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/boulaye-dia/marktwertverlauf/spieler/626913) and the [ongoing financial struggles in France](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-transfer-french-football-19466398), the Hammers may only need a portion of the incoming fee for Haller to make this deal a reality.