
Luke Hatfield: West Brom loan move most likely for Daryl Dike
West Brom have been linked with Orlando City striker Daryl Dike, and the Express and Star journalist Luke Hatfield reckons a loan deal could work out.
According to Express and Star journalist Joseph Masi, the Baggies are keen on landing the American striker this summer in a bid to strengthen their attack.
The 21-year-old USA international scored nine goals in 19 appearances for Barnsley under Valerien Ismael, and the Frenchman is eyeing a reunion at the Hawthorns.
Dike already knows what it takes to play for the 45-year-old, and could be the perfect man to lead the line for the Baggies in their promotion bid.
However, even getting a temporarily deal done could cost a lot of money, with Hatfield telling Football Transfer Tavern: “A loan move is the most likely for Albion for Dike. He obviously stood out for Barnsley before under Ismael and a lot of Albion fans have seen his performances with Barnsley under him and figured he would be the perfect man and I think a lot of people think that.
“I think he’s on Ismael’s shortlist, he’s a player that has obviously made a lasting impression on him, knows the Ismael style of play really well and you can see with Ismael the way that he’s bought in someone like Alex Mowatt who knows the system as well.
“I think it would work perfectly – I think he’d be a fantastic signing for Albion, but I do think a loan is most likely, it’ll probably be with a view if they are to go up to sign him on a permanent basis but even the loan fee would be quite pricey.”
Good move?
A loan-to-buy deal in the eventuality of promotion for Dike would be a perfect move.
West Brom need to get in a new No 9 despite our brilliant start to the Championship campaign, and one who already knows what the head coach wants is what we really need.
After scoring nine goals in three games so far, our attack has definitely been brilliant while goals have come from other departments too.
Dike joined Barnsley during the latter half of last season, and his return of nine goals in 19 games is more than decent.
A temporary deal makes sense as both parties can always decide to move on at the end of the campaign if promotion is not secured.
Orlando are expected to demand a lot as a loan fee, but we should be willing to pay what they want since Dike is guaranteed to deliver the goods.
There are less than two weeks left in the summer window, and West Brom are definitely going to keep looking till the deadline day to see whether they can get the right deals done.
A move for the American could end up being a smart one after what we see him do last term.
In other West Brom news, reliable journo replies when asked if the Baggies will sign a striker.
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