West Brom enquired about former Barnsley hero Daryl Dike in the summer transfer window but were put off by Orlando City’s asking price, as reported by The Athletic.
For the most part, Valerien Ismael has succeeded in taking the tactics that worked wonders at Barnsley – transforming the Tykes from relegation candidates to promotion chasers in months – before copying-and-pasting them on to a more talented, expensively assembled West Bromwich Albion squad.
And while there has been the odd 90 minutes of dirge – and a few dissatisfied grumbles at the Hawthorns – a tally of 28 points from 14 games represents a respectable, if not remarkable, return.
West Brom might not be the most aesthetically pleasing side in the Championship but, sitting third and just six points off the top, few will care how promotion is obtained, as long as it is obtained.
But if there’s one thing Barnsley had that this West Brom team doesn’t, it is a physical, line-leading number nine capable of thriving in the direct, front-to-back football Ismael has made his calling card.
Why did West Brom fail to sign Daryl Dike?
USA international Dike scored nine goals in just 14 starts during a loan spell at Ismael’s Barnsley from January to June, earning comparisons to Romelu Lukaku and sparking interest from a host of top-flight clubs.
It was inevitable, then, that West Brom would be linked after Ismael swapped South Yorkshire for the West Midlands.
And, according to The Athletic, West Brom did enquire about Dike’s availability before deciding they could not or would not pay the sort of money Orlando City wanted for their 21-year-old star.
It’s understood the MLS outfit wanted about £17 million – a fee the Baggies were never likely to pay just weeks after suffering relegation from the Premier League.
West Brom would eventually bring in Jordan Hugill on loan from Norwich City instead, while Karlan Grant is finally producing the form that secured him a £15 million move to the Baggies last year, scoring six goals in his past six games.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
