Boulaye Dia breaks silence on Arsenal and West Ham links, explains £15m valuation

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Arsenal and West Ham target Boulaye Dia has broken his silence to France Football after reports linking him to the Premier League failed to come to fruition.

The top-flight duo were both linked with a move for the Reims talisman during the January transfer window.

Arsenal didn’t feel they needed another striker at this moment in time, whilst West Ham baulked at the £12 million asking price.

They didn’t feel the fee was value for money with the player only really coming to prominence during the last 12 months.

Dia has kicked on though since missing out on a move to England. The 24-year-old has bagged 14 goals this season and is well on course to smash the 20-goal barrier.

He claims that the price tag is out of his hands and is now using the interest in him as motivation.

Dia told France Football: “I’m not the one who sets the price. I hear the price is fixed in relation to performance. This summer it was fixed between £10 million and £15 million. That must be it.

“Being linked with Europe’s top clubs, it’s a new source of motivation. It’s always flattering and I’m proud – but you have to stay focused.

“You hear too many things, your name is everywhere.”

TBR View: Could Premier League pairing return in the summer?

Dia should certainly be a player who is being courted by several clubs in England and he’d represent a decent bit of business.

Right now he is scoring goals in a team which is struggling in Ligue 1 and with better service who knows what he’d be capable of.

West Ham offloaded Sebastien Haller during the January window and they’ll certainly need another striker during the summer.

Mikel Arteta does have options at Arsenal but with another season outside the Champions League looking likely, he’ll need to cut his cloth accordingly.

Dia could prove ideal for both London-based clubs.