Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly among the clubs keeping an eye on Daryl Dike, who will cost around $20 million.
According to a report from Orlando Sentinel, MLS outfit Orlando City are determined to stay firm on their price tag for Daryl Dike, despite immense pressure from the Premier League, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Leeds United among the clubs interested in the player’s services.
A centre-forward by trade, Dike is currently on loan at Barnsley, where the 20-year-old has made quite an impression, scoring five goals in 12 matches since joining the club in early February. He reportedly has a buyout clause in his loan contract that will allow the Championship outfit to sign the player for a fee of $20 million.
It appears unlikely Barnsley will be able to afford such a sum to permanently secure the services of Dike. However, a host of Premier League giants, including Manchester United and Chelsea, have expressed their desire to sign the forward permanently this summer, following his rapid rise to prominence in the Championship.
A native of Oklahoma, Dike stems from the OKC youth academy before he was signed up from Orlando City at the start of last year. He made qute an impression as well, netting eight goals in 17 matches in MLS last year before being loaned out to Barnsley due to the continued suspension of the league.
As mentioned earlier, Dike seems to have replicated his performances in the Championship this season with Barnsley. But apart from his goalscoring prowess, the American forward has particularly impressed the onlookers with his imposing presence in the final third as well as the athleticism that makes him a tailor-made fit for the physically astute nature of English football.
Chelsea and Manchester United’s interest in the 20-year-old, therefore, is hardly surprising as both clubs not only need attacking reinforcements but have also embraced young players in their first-team in recent years.
Manchester United, in particular, are hoping to prepare for a future without Edinson Cavani while Anthony Martial, too, faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford. Although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is more than likely to make a move for a proven centre-forward in the summer, someone like Dike should serve as an ideal alternative.
As for Chelsea, they are expected to lose Olivier Giroud while Timo Werner has not performed up to expectations. The Blues, therefore, could be tempted to move for Dike, especially if they make the bold decision of offloading Werner. In the meantime, though, Thomas Tuchel’s men have been shockingly linked with a move for Romelu Lukaku this summer.