Salernitana frontman Boulaye Dia was seemingly unsatisfied with the way the summer transfer window panned out, as he was eager to make a change. After registering a goal in his first two Serie A appearances this season, he left Campania for international duty with Senegal a fortnight ago.
But unlike other internationals, Dia was nowhere to be seen at the gathering in the build-up to Salernitana’s home clash against Torino. His absence has opened the door to a series of speculation over his future in Salerno. However, the 26-year-old has returned to the Stadio Arechi and will soon reunite with Paulo Sousa’s squad, as per Tuttomercatoweb.
Dia enjoyed a stellar maiden season in Serie A after joining Salernitana on loan from Villarreal in the summer of 2022. He tallied 16 goals in 33 league outings in the previous campaign, with only Victor Osimhen and Lautaro Martinez bettering his scoring record. Then, it came as no surprise Sousa’s side triggered a buyout clause in his deal a few months ago.
While Dia has never officially asked to leave Salernitana, his future was among the main talking points in Italy during the transfer window just finished. Numerous sides from Italy and abroad displayed interest in his services, but a move failed to materialize, forcing the Senegalese forward to stay put.
It’s uncertain whether he’ll be in the squad on Monday when Salernitana host Torino at Arechi. Dia’s return would be massive as Sousa’s men seek their first league win of the season.
Salernitana go in search of their first win of the 2023-24 Serie A season with the visit of Ivan Juric’s Torino on Monday evening, before Hellas Verona look to return to winning ways when Thiago Motta’s Bologna come to town a few hours later.
Minimal changes are expected from Salernitana, who could however, rotate one or two faces from their 2-0 loss to Lecce before the international break. Emil Bohinen could return to the matchday XI, while Pasquale Mazzocchi is also tipped to start.
Torino meanwhile, are expected to stick with a similar team to the one that beat Genoa 1-0 last time out. Valentino Lazaro could come in to start at wing-back over Megrim Vojvoda and Samuele Ricci is also expected to start in midfield.
For Verona, Martin Hongla, Darko Lazovic and Riccardo Saponara have all recovered from minor injury and fitness concerns, but only two are expected to walk into the starting line-up.
Thiago Motta is also expected to slightly shuffle his pack and is expected to give a first start to summer signing Remo Freuler alongside Nikola Moro in midfield. Riccardo Orsolini could also come in in place of Dan Ndoye on the wing.
Kick off between Salernitana and Torino is set for 17.30 UK time, while Verona and Bologna get underway at 19:45.
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