West Ham must sign Boulaye Dia

West Ham United boss David Moyes will likely utilise this break in football to plot his potential moves in the upcoming January transfer window, with the World Cup expected to once again provide the stage needed for players to put themselves in the shop window.

One man who is expected to play a leading role for his country this winter is the prolific Senegalese striker, Boulaye Dia, with the 5-foot-9 marksman heading into the tournament off the back of his blistering form for his new club Salernitana.

He already boasts eight goal contributions in 14 Serie A games this season, looking to build upon his seven-goal and six-assist season for Villarreal last season.

This standout form has unsurprisingly brought about widespread transfer rumours, with the 26-year-old having been linked with Everton, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest all mentioned in various reports.

With the 19-cap star still boasting just under four years left on his £20k-per-week deal, it is the Spanish club, of whom are his parent club, that still hold all the cards.

Following the injury to Sadio Mane, the limelight is set to be shone more generously across the Senegal squad, and Dia could be the man to step up when his country needs him most.

Having proved himself a consistent goalscorer across his career, there is certainly a belief that, having scored 58 goals and assisted 12, he has the ability to back up his conviction in his own ability.

Upon first signing for the Spanish outfit, he was quoted as claiming: “I want to have continuity and improve my level on the pitch each season”, before outlining his outstanding qualities, “I can give more depth to the team, especially while running, creating spaces and opening up the pitch. I think I have different qualities to my teammates and we can complement each other.”

With Gianluca Scamacca having only scored twice in the Premier League since his summer move, and Michail Antonio not getting any younger, Dia could provide a fine foil for the Hammers frontmen.

However, should he excel like he very well could do at Qatar, the list of competition alongside the Irons could expand exponentially.