Speaking on the latest episode of Baggies Broadcast, Joseph Masi highlighted why clubs, including West Brom, didn’t sign Daryl Dike.
It had been reported by Masi himself during the summer transfer window that the Baggies were looking to sign Dike, whether that be on loan or a permanent deal, however, given Orlando City’s £18 million price tag they slapped on the striker that Masi spoke about on the podcast, it was a move that was never likely to materialise.
Do you think teams have worked out how to play against West Brom?
Yes
No
Valerien Ismael clearly likes the striker having brought him in during his short tenure at Oakwell as Barnsley manager, and since the striker returned to MLS, he has got four goal contributions in nine appearances, highlighting how he may have been a great signing at this level for Albion.
Masi spoke about how West Brom were ultimately priced out of a move for Dike.
“From what I gather is that basically everyone was priced out of a move – when I say everyone, Albion included – if there was any other interest I don’t know, I mean I only focus on Albion.
“But Albion were priced out of a move for Dike in the last window, either on loan or permanent.
“To be honest, that story just sums that up, really, the fact that Orlando want £18 million for him tells you everything you need to know, really. I mean obviously, nobody is expecting Albion to pay £18 million for Daryl Dike, no one’s expecting that.
“So I think that’s just Orlando playing the game, isn’t it, like that’s just what you do: you leak a fee to the press, ‘we want £18 million’ and then you negotiate from that point, probably. But yeah, it looks like he could be priced out of a move.”
TIF Thoughts on Dike…
The way that Dike took to life in the Championship – scoring nine goals having never played outside of America before – is a hugely positive sign towards him being more than cut out for English football. You just have to look at Mbaye Diagne last season, who West Brom signed on loan and only managed to score three times during his half-season spell, albeit in the Premier League.
It appears that the Baggies have hit somewhat of a brick wall in recent weeks, having scored just three goals in their previous four matches, compared to 11 in their opening three games. So, if they had been able to orchestrate a deal to sign Dike, even on loan, he may have been able to help push them through these tougher and tighter games.