West Bromwich Albion have made an official approach to Orlando City for striker Daryl Dike, 90min can confirm.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise, going from college soccer to playing for the United States Men’s National team in the space of a couple of years.
Dike enjoyed a prolific loan spell in the Championship with Barnsley earlier this year, but Orlando City seemed unwilling to let him leave on a permanent basis. The Lions even rejected a bid from one of the Premier League’s so-called ‘big six’.
But on Wednesday, 90min revealed Orlando had now come around to the idea of letting Dike leave, even offering the USMNT striker up to a number of Premier League clubs. They would also be open to loaning Dike out once again with a permanent option.
West Brom, who are managed by former Barnsley boss Valerian Ismael, have been tracking Dike for some time, and 90min can confirm that talks are underway to sign him on loan in January with a view to a permanent move.
Ismael has previously expressed confidence in getting some deals over the line, and reuniting with Dike – who scored nine goals in 19 Championship appearances under the French-German – appears to be top of the agenda.
However, a move to The Hawthorns is not yet a foregone conclusion, with Premier League clubs still at the table and considering bids of their own.
At present, Leeds United are the most interested of the top-flight clubs – unsurprising given they are part-owned by the San Francisco 49ers and have American Paraag Marathe installed as their vice-chairman.