Speaking on the Baggies Broadcast podcast, Joseph Masi spoke about West Brom eyeing up Daryl Dike this summer.
West Brom currently have the likes of Callum Robinson, Karlan Grant and Kenneth Zohore on their books who are natural strikers, but adding Dike, who managed to score nine goals in 21 appearances last season in the Championship, would likely bring about goals and Masi has confirmed that the Baggies do have Dike on their striker shortlist.
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Dike has previously worked under Valerien Ismael with the Baggies boss signing him on loan from Orlando City last season during his time in the dugout at Barnsley, but the striker returned to MLS following the expiration of the deal and subsequently netted two in four games.
Masi delivered the latest update on West Brom’s pursuit of Dike.
“So, Daryl Dike’s name is all over social media today. I understand that he is on Albion’s shortlist, but I can’t add any more than that to it. There are multiple players on the striker shortlist; he’s on it, Liam Delap’s on it [from] City.”
TIF Thoughts on West Brom’s striker pursuit…
While Masi does not elaborate too much on his recent report, it does suggest that either West Brom are keeping their cards closer to their chest, or that they are currently playing a waiting game as work to bring in a new striker continues.
As Masi claimed, it is not just Dike on the Baggies’ shortlist, Manchester City’s Liam Delap is also under consideration, and with the striker having made his debut and scoring his first goal last September as a 17-year-old, it’s no surprise that West Brom want to sign the striker.
Dike would likely be the more sensible option as he will understand Ismael’s system and be able to slot right in but, while the Baggies’ signings this summer have been made up of frees and loans, it appears it would neither would be on a permanent basis.
That suggests the club are continuing to add to their squad with smart additions, and you can see the appeal of a tried-and-tested striker from Ismael’s perspective, as well as the promising Delap – so even with a potential loan fee, either could be worth a punt for the Baggies.