West Ham is eyeing a move to bring in Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia in January, but the deal comes with a hefty price tag of at least £17.2 million, as reported by Le Cronache.

The Italian news outlet revealed on 3 January that despite the 27-year-old forward being sidelined due to injury, Salernitana is resolute in their demand for no less than this amount for the prolific striker, who has notched 20 goals in 47 appearances for the club.

It is anticipated that West Ham will have to fend off competition from Eintracht Frankfurt, Everton, and Wolves, as Fiorentina and AC Milan are unlikely to match the financial requisites set forth by the club’s general manager, Walter Sabatini.

The proposed price of £20 million may seem exorbitant for a 27-year-old forward with limited exposure to top-tier competitions. The Senegalese striker has traversed several leagues, plying his trade at Reims, Villarreal, and Salernitana, yet has struggled to establish a sustained foothold.

Having grappled with injuries in the ongoing season, Dia has mustered only four Serie A goals as Salernitana languishes at the bottom of the league standings, with a mere two victories in 18 matches. Given the challenging circumstances, securing the striker’s services at such a premium figure appears ambitious, particularly as more viable alternatives, such as academy graduate Divin Mubama, exist within West Ham’s ranks.

Nonetheless, Dia’s track record should not be discounted. He has accrued 24 international caps and five goals for his national team, in addition to notching 28 goals during his three-year tenure at French outfit Reims.

Despite his glimpses of brilliance, the prospect of acquiring an injured player is indeed unconventional, especially considering the demanding fixture schedule in the Premier League and the club’s European commitments. With a plethora of crucial matches on the horizon, West Ham would undoubtedly benefit from a fully fit squad to pursue their ambitions for the season.

While Dia boasts some Champions League experience, his exposure amounts to a scant eight matches during the 2021/22 campaign, featuring as a starter on three occasions for Villareal in the competition and finding the net once.

Considering the substantial financial outlay associated with acquiring an injury-stricken and relatively untested talent from a struggling Salernitana outfit, West Ham faces a pivotal decision as they weigh their options in the transfer market.