News about Boulaye Dia

The 36-year-old, who also spent time in the Premier League with Watford , enjoyed a successful three-year spell in LaLiga with Villarreal. He played a total of 148 games for the Yellow Submarine, including 40 in all competitions last term but his contract with the club was not renewed and he has been a free agent since the summer. But instead of finding another club in one of Europe's top leagues or even further afield, the France international has reportedly joined a Spanish fourth-division basketball side.

AFCON is finally here, following months of rumors over which players will be ruled out of club action for up to four weeks. Following the most recent round of play, the continental tournament will take place from January 13 to February 11, with players having to join their national teams. This year's edition of the Ivory Coast will be held in Senegal, with Senegal as the reigning champions after defeating Egypt on penalties in the 2021 tournament (which took place in 2002).

ALVISE CAGNAZZO: On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, eight games were played across Serie A, as the Italian top-flight's dramatic end draws closer. Inter Milan's eight-game winning streak was snapped by champions Napoli, although city rivals AC Milan struck five against a sorry Sampdoria. Monza won on Friday night, marking their impressive debut in Serie A, although Atalanta's future appears a bit more uncertain despite their 3-1 victory over Verona.

Napoli was forced to wait for their first Serie A title in 33 years after Boulaye Dia's late equalizer caused Salernitana to postpone the hosts' celebrations. After Lazio's nearest challengers were defeated 3-1 by Inter Milan earlier on Sunday, Luciano Spalletti's side knew three points would win their first league title since 1990. Mathias Olivera seemed to have won the title with the defender leading Napoli at the hour, but only for Dia to strike in the closing minutes for Salernitana to gain a point.

Champions AC Milan was held to a 1-1 home draw by lowly Salernitana in Serie A on Monday, making it their third winless outing in all competitions. Milan took the lead right before the interval when Olivier Giroud ploughed in from a corner by midfielder Ismael Bennacer, leaving Salernitana keeper Guillermo Ochoa unmoved. Unmarked forward Boulaye Dia, who was set up inside the box by defender Domagoj Bradaric and made it 1-1 with a first-touch finish, levelled Salernitana in the 61st minute. Milan were desperate to regain control, but the team was unable to change the scoreline, despite their advantage in possession, and late hopes by defender Alessandro Florenzi and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

ALVISE CAGNAZZO: Napoli advanced to Serie A glory with a 2-0 win over Empoli, taking a 2-0 lead at the league's summit. Milan capitalised on their rivals' misfortune at Bologna to draw level on points with Inter, cruising past Atalanta with a 2-0 win. But what else happened this week in Serie A? Sportsmail takes a look at ten things we learned during the Italian top flight's fifteen rounds.

ALVISE CAGNAZZO: The league's heavyweight sides all won significant victories, including Napoli, who maintained their ascendancy at the top of the table, over the weekend. After beating Sassuolo 2-0, the Naples team is now 15 points ahead of nearest rival Inter Milan, who are expected to win their first Scudetto since 1990. Meanwhile, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Roma all won, while Salernitana plightened despite new boss Paulo Sousa's arrival.

Serie A is finally back! There has been no top-flight action in Italy since November 13, with a long break for the World Cup and the festive season. Fortunately for those with Calcio withdrawal symptoms, the game is back in a big dollop on Wednesday, with a full slate of ten Serie A games distributed fairly throughout the day. ALVISE CAGNAZZO provides us with the state of play at all 20 of the clubs ahead of its return.

Jordan Pickford's goalkeeper made a big save to keep the score level level at 0-0 in Sunday's World Cup last-16 clash with Senegal, with Ian Wright expressing praise for him. Ismaila Sarr, a Senegal winger, was latched onto Bukayo Saka's goal, sweeping inside until finding Boulaye Dia. Dia had a great view of goal on the left hand of the box and struck it softly before seeing his attempt blocked by a strong outstretched hand from Everton's Pickford.

SCOUTING REPORT: Aliou Cisse's African champions saved the best for last in Group A fixtures, and England's new masters should be cautious of these old masters of the tense knock-out style. They gained a victory as the pressure increased and nerves were put to the test. We are used to playing in these kind of games,' Cisse, who spent four years in English football at Birmingham and Portsmouth, said. We will have to rest and get ready for the next game,' says the coach.'

Senegal bounced back from their opening game loss to defeating Qatar 3-1 in Group A on Friday. Boulaye Dia and Famara Diedhiou fired the African champions into a two-goal lead, but Qatar lost one goal, their first ever World Cup goal, thanks to Mohammed Muntari. Senegal quickly dismissed any worries about a tense end, but Bamba Dieng made it 3-1 with six minutes remaining.

Senegal's men face Louis van Gaal's men in the third game of the tournament, in arguably one of the most exciting matches on the entire group stage at the tournament. It would be the first meeting between the two sides, and both will be eager to get their Group A campaign off to the best possible start. Senegal and Holland are the most likely to advance from the group, which also includes Qatar and Ecuador.

ALVISE CAGNAZZO IN ITALY: Napoli continued their undefeated start to the season by defeating Sassuolo 4-0 on Saturday, who moved five points forward in Serie A. Inter Milan, Juventus, and Atalanta were also winners, but AC Milan and Lazio were also losing, with losses against Torino and Salernitana respectively. Alvise Cagnazzo of Sportsmail has compiled a list of ten things we learned from this weekend's adventures in Italy.

Atalanta's good start to the season continued as they defeated Monza 2-0, putting them over the top of Serie A as a first Atalanta goal for Rasmus Hojlund. Marlon's own goal gave them the victory, while newly promoted Monza finished third with five losses out of five. Ademola Lookman set up the first and played in the second.

Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea has been questioned by Salernitana's Serie A side, who is looking to sign the Belgian on loan. Batshuayi is deemed surplus to the Blues' needs after spending time away from the club on loan at Crystal Palace, Borussia Dortmund, and most recently Besiktas. During his time in Turkey last season, the striker impressed as he made 33 league appearances in which he scored 14 goals and assisted five others.