Boulaye Dia agrees Rennes move as talks advance

Stade Rennais are moving closer to signing Boulaye Dia after the Lazio forward agreed to join the Ligue 1 club. The 29-year-old Senegal international is being targeted as the attacking addition Rennes have been seeking, although the transfer has not yet been completed.

Rennes are working on a paid loan worth €2 million, with an €8 million option to buy at the end of the arrangement. Lazio had initially looked for €10 million in a permanent transfer, while the Italian club is also understood to be asking for about €15 million to release Dia outright. The differing figures leave the final structure of the deal unresolved.

Dia has made two Serie A appearances for Lazio this season. A move to Rennes would take the centre-forward back to France, where he previously developed before playing for Villarreal and Salernitana. Lazio are already considering possible replacements, with Morocco forward Yanis Begraoui among the names being examined.

Dia joined Lazio from Salernitana in a deal valued at €11.3 million and remains contracted to the Rome club. His current listed market value is €5 million. Rennes’ progress now depends on reaching agreement with Lazio over the loan terms and the purchase option.