Official: Boulaye Dia joins Rennes from Lazio in €11m deal
Quick summary
Striker Boulaye Dia has officially completed a permanent transfer from Lazio to Ligue 1 side Rennes for €11 million, with the deal formula adjusted from initial plans.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceLazio sent Boulaye Dia to Rennes on loan for a reported fee of €2m with option to buy for another €9m, which can become an obligation if conditions are met.
The deal was completed right on the wire of the transfer deadline, which was at 19.00 UK time (20.00 CEST) in both Italy and France.
Dia terms changed for Lazio and Rennes ROME, ITALY – MARCH 04: Boulaye Dia of Lazio scores his team’s second goal past Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta during the Coppa Italia match between SS Lazio and Atalanta BC at Olimpico Stadium on March 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) It was assumed this would be a straight sale for around €10m including add-ons, as reported by Sky Sport Italia.
Instead, it is a loan with option to buy that can become an obligation if certain conditions are met.
French sources suggest the cost of the loan is €2m with the option to complete the transfer for another €9m.
EMPOLI, ITALY – MAY 04: Boulaye Dia of SS Lazio scores a opening goal during the Serie match between Empoli and Lazio at Stadio Carlo Castellani on May 04, 2025 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images) Dia turns 30 in November and had come to Italian football for Salernitana in the summer of 2022 from Villarreal.
When that €14.4m move was completed, he then switched to their sister club Lazio in 2024 for a fee of €11.3m.
The Senegal international leaves Lazio after scoring 14 goals with six assists in 81 competitive appearances.
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What happened
Boulaye Dia has left Lazio to sign with Ligue 1 club Rennes in a deal worth €11 million. The transfer was reported as official by Football Italia, though the formula of the deal reportedly changed from the originally planned structure. Dia had struggled for consistent minutes at Lazio following his arrival and will now look to revive his career in France. Rennes secure a proven goalscorer as they look to strengthen their attacking options in Ligue 1.
Chance analysis
Boulaye Dia's move from Lazio to Rennes closes a chapter that never really took off in Rome. The Senegalese forward showed flashes of his prolific Salernitana form but never established himself as a regular starter under Lazio's managers. A return to Ligue 1, where he previously starred for Reims and Villarreal, could provide the platform to rediscover his scoring touch. For Rennes, adding a center-forward with Serie A experience addresses a clear need, even if the adjusted deal structure suggests some negotiation friction behind the scenes.
Lazio lose a squad forward and recoup €11m in funds; Rennes gain a proven striker whose minutes and goal threat in Ligue 1 should be monitored from matchday one.