Wolves in hot water after insulting striker bid prompts incredible rant and squad exclusion
Wolves have been called out by Salernitana sporting director Morgan De Sanctis after their failed attempt to sign Boulaye Dia before the transfer deadline.
According to reports, Wolves submitted a bid to take Dia on loan for €2m (£1.7m), with the option to buy him next summer for €20m (£17.2m). However, it has been claimed by Il Mattino that Salernitana sent a one-word response to their email: “What?”
A day after the incident, De Sanctis has explained Salernitana’s anger against Wolves for how they conducted their approach for Dia – who has subsequently been left out of his team’s squad for their Serie A clash with Lecce on Sunday.
Former Italy goalkeeper De Sanctis told a press conference: “The last few days of the transfer market were the most complicated. It was not our intention, as we had already closed our business.
“They were chaotic hours because someone wanted to do things right at the end. As for Dia, I wish to send a message, which is that we demand respect for Salernitana, for myself, for the history of the club and its fans.
“We received a phone call late on Thursday night with talk of a loan with option to buy for figures that, if I were to make public, would cause a diplomatic incident.
“None of their directors contacted me personally. This affected Dia. I expect the player to realise how much we have given him, because we want a rapport of reciprocal respect and hope we can continue like the previous 12 months together.”
Salernitana ‘will not forget what Wolverhampton did’
The aggrieved De Sanctis continued: “I will say that I, the President and all of Salernitana will not forget what Wolverhampton did.
“Dia was not called up because in his attitude he showed that he is not ready to play against Lecce. You can interpret that however you wish.
“That game will be a battle and we need people prepared to battle with us. His attitude seemed to be going in the opposite direction.”
It was only earlier in the summer that Salernitana activated their option to buy Dia for €12m after having him on loan from Villarreal last season.
The Senegal international has scored 17 goals from 36 appearances for his current club, who have him under contract until 2026.
READ MORE: A full list of every completed Premier League transfer in the 2023 summer transfer window
