Many West Brom supporters went to bed last night dreaming of a £17 million USA international, a one-time Ajax starlet or a man labelled a “young Didier Drogba” on the back of scoring 11 Serie A goals in 2020/21.
By the time they woke up, Jordan Hugill was on his way to the Hawthorns.
According to the Pink Un, the Norwich City benchwarmer has travelled to West Bromwich for talks with Valerien Ismael ahead of what will probably be a season-long loan deal.
In terms of underwhelming signings, that’s up there with the Tyrone Mears, Mark Wilsons and Victor Anichebes of this world.
But with M’Bala Nzola determined to stay in Italy and with the exciting Mateo Cassierra on his way to Russia, a paucity of options has forced West Brom to take a punt on a man who scored just three times in 31 games as Norwich cruised to the Championship title last season.
And while Daryl Dike is still very much in the frame – TEAMtalk claims West Brom are “leading the race” for the powerhouse number nine who scored for fun under Valerien Ismael at Barnsley – reports of Leeds United’s interest in the same player feels like, if not a dagger through the heart of their promotion hopes, then a firm slap in the face.
Dike, after all, looked every inch the missing piece of Ismael’s jigsaw.
The fearsome Frenchman has the division’s best goalkeeper in Sam Johnstone, a defence full of proven Championship operators, a quality midfield, and plenty of eye-catching options out wide.
What he doesn’t have, however, is a 6ft-something centre-forward capable of leading the line, bringing his teammates into play, winning headers and dominating from set-pieces.
Someone like Dike.
Here’s what some West Brom supporters on Twitter had to say about Leeds’ interest in Daryl Dike:
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