According to the Express and Star, Daryl Dike is closing in on a move to West Brom, despite interest from Newcastle and Leeds.
What’s the story?
Well, it was TEAMtalk who revealed that Newcastle and Leeds were interested in signing the 21-year-old this January.
However, after a successful period under Valérien Ismaël on loan at Barnsley last season, it seems Dike has opted to reunite with the 46-year-old at West Brom.
The Express and Star believe the 8-cap United States international could even attend Saturday’s Championship clash against Cardiff.
Dike’s return to England is believed to be an initial loan deal, with a view to making the move permanent in the summer.
In our view, the Hawthorns faithful should get excited.
Dike took the Championship by storm last season, scoring nine goals in 19 appearances to fire Barnsley into the Play-Off semi-final.
Newcastle and Leeds needn’t worry
Of course, it would’ve been fun to see Dike in the Premier League, as he’s already shown he can do it in the Championship.
However, for that exact reason, Newcastle and Leeds shouldn’t be too upset by this news.
Despite being compared to Romelu Lukaku, Dike is untested in the Premier League, and it would be a risk to sign him.
Newcastle and Leeds find themselves in relegation battles, so the last thing Eddie Howe and Marcelo Bielsa would want is to sign someone who takes months to adapt.
The Premier League duo need an instant impact from anyone they choose to sign this month, without a shadow of a doubt.
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