Daryl Dike may already be regretting his decision to snub transfers to Leeds and West Ham United in January after West Brom sacked their manager, Valerien Ismael, this Wednesday.
The Baggies announced Ismael left The Hawthorns with his assistant Adam Murray after a run of one win in eight. West Brom’s lack of favourable results included exiting the FA Cup to Brighton & Hove Albion. They have also lost four of their last six Championship fixtures.
West Brom’s drop off in form has cost them a place in the automatic promotion spots to Fulham and Blackburn Rovers. The West Midlands outfit currently sit fifth, 13-points from the Cottagers and eight to Rovers. They are only in the play-off places on goal difference.
Ismael had West Brom third in the table after beating Reading 1-0 on December 11 before results took a dive. Their only following win since facing the Royals came against relegation zone occupants Peterborough on January 22. Posh also mark Dike’s most recent outing.
Dike joined West Brom in the January transfer market from Major League Soccer franchise Orlando City for £7m. The move saw the 21-year-old reunite with Ismael following his loan spell at Barnsley during the second-half of the 2020/21 term, in which he scored nine goals.
Ismael them moved to West Brom in the summer to replace Sam Allardyce following their relegation from the Premier League. Dike, meanwhile, returned to Orlando and scored 11 goals in 19 games. His MLS haul took his 2021 tally to 20 over 41 games in all competitions.
Dike may regret snubbing Leeds, West Ham for West Brom transfer
West Brom now sacking Ismael may have Dike regretting snubbing Premier League interest from West Ham and Leeds in the January transfer market to reunite with his Barnsley boss.
Reports by TEAMtalk cited the Hammers and Whites as potential English top-flight options for the eight-cap USMNT star. But Ismael put West Brom in the running as he never hid his desire to reunite with Dike. And Dike ultimately picked a reunion over his rival options.
But with Ismael now out the door and a new boss on the way, Dike may reflect on his call in regret at turning down transfers offering Premier League football at West Ham or Leeds.
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