Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Boulaye Dia to Elland Road next summer.
What's the talk?
That's according to a report by Italian media outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), who claim that all three of Leeds, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest are keeping a very close eye on the situation of the US Salernitana 1919 centre-forward ahead of launching a potential move for the 25-year-old at the end of the season.
The report goes on to state that the Senegal international - who is currently on loan from Villarreal CF - is expected to make a €12m (£10.5m) permanent move to the Italian side next summer, with Salernitana president Danilo Iervolino then expected to put the striker immediately up for sale for a figure in the region of €17m (£14.5m).
Bamford heir
Considering just how impressive Dia has been in Italy so far this season, coupled with Patrick Bamford struggling in the Premier League this term, it is easy to see why Victor Orta would be interested in a deal to bring the Senegalese sensation to LS11 at the end of the current campaign.
Indeed, over his 11 Serie A appearances in 2022/23, the £17m-rated talent has been in red-hot form, scoring five goals, registering two assists and creating one big chance for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.3 shots, making 1.1 key passes and completing 0.7 dribbles per game.
These returns have seen the £30k-per-week striker average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.93, ranking him as Davide Nicola's joint fourth-best performer in the top flight of Italian football.
In comparison, over Bamford's ten Premier League appearances this season, the £12.6m-rated forward has scored no goals, provided one assist and created one big chance, as well as taking an average of 1.7 shots, making 0.4 key passes and completing 0.2 dribbles per match.
These metrics have seen the 29-year-old average an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.40, currently ranking him as Jesse Marsch's joint second-worst player in the English top flight.
As such, when comparing the returns of Dia - who Marlon Harwood dubbed "absolutely fantastic" - to those of Bamford this term, in addition to the fact the 25-year-old is four years the England international's junior, it is evident that the 17-cap international could well be the dream long-term heir to the 29-year-old in the Leeds attack.