How Orlando City are set to complete full-circle Daryl Dike mugging after West Brom shocker
Orlando City look set to re-sign Daryl Dike after flogging him to West Bromwich Albion for a costly price.
The Baggies recently announced the departure of the striker, who left upon the expiration of his contract.
The former USA international had major injury issues at The Hawthorns, perhaps the worst individual case of fitness problems in the Championship during his stay.
Albion supporters only got to see the once-promising forward play 68 times in a four-and-a-half-year stay, with most appearances being broken up due to obvious reasons.
Interestingly, the 26-year-old had his joint-best season for the Black Country Club last campaign in terms of appearances, playing 25 times in all competitions.
But in typical West Brom fashion, Dike may have finally broken his injury curse in time for a move back to Orlando City.
West Brom's disastrous Daryl Dike deal broken down
West Brom signed Dike from Orlando City for over £7million in January of 2022, signing him on a four-and-a-half-year deal that has now expired.
The number nine came to The Hawthorns with great potential, reuniting with former Barnsley and West Brom boss Valerian Ismael after their time together at the Oakwell Stadium.
The Baggies were lured to the Orlando City star at the time due to his successful loan spell with Barnsley, where he grabbed nine goals in just the second half of the 2021-22 campaign, which helped fire the Tykes into the play-offs.
After costing Albion a hefty financial cost in transfer fees and wages for just 11 goals in over four years, Dike is now set to return to the MLS side for free.
As reported by The Athletic's Tom Bogert via X on Tuesday, Orlando City are finalising a deal to re-sign Dike for free after he left West Brom this summer.
It could be argued that he contributed to a knock-on effect for the club's PSR breach last season, as it was said to be a relief to get his wages off the books.
But it would ironically be no surprise to see him go and turn back into a top striker with Orlando, after managing to stay fit for Albion in the second half of last season.
How West Brom can atone for Dike error
Dike's exit has seen West Brom hunt for new strikers, with Barney Stewart and Jimmy-Jay Morgan two new additions.
Despite this, West Brom News understands that Morrison is keen to land another number nine for West Brom this summer.
Cameron Archer is said to be a target for the Black Country Club, with the Jamaican international likely to leave Southampton this summer.
The former Middlesbrough loanee is clinical at this level, and would quickly help Baggies fans forget some of the attacking woes seen at The Hawthorns in recent years.