Crystal Palace are reportedly lining up a move for Orlando City striker Daryle Dike as new manager Patrick Vieira wants to add further reinforcements to his forward line.
What’s the story?
According to The Sun, Palace are keen on securing the highly-rated 21-year-old’s services but are put off by his £18 million asking price.
The report states that: “Boss Patrick Vieira is keen to bring in an extra forward, and his scouts have suggested the Orlando City hitman after his loan at Barnsley last season.
“With the Eagles backed by American cash, it would be a major plus to land Dike, 21 — a powerful prospect who could be one of his country’s top players for years to come.”
Patrick Vieira would love him
Dike’s impressive exploits in the MLS earned him a loan move to Championship outfit Barnsley halfway through last season, and the USA international made the transition to the second-tier of English football look easy.
The 6 foot 1 colossus bagged nine league goals in just 19 appearances, playing a pivotal part as the Yorkshire outfit reached the play-offs.
His eye-catching displays saw several impressed onlookers showing Dike in praise, including former Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey.
“(Dike) is a strong, powerful lad who knows where the back of the net is, who understands his strengths and ability and runs with it,” Heskey said to HITC. “When you’re talking about a powerful, powerful player, with the ability to hold the ball up as the lone striker, there will be so many clubs who need and want that.
And Dike has continued his good form upon his return to his homeland, notching up three strikes and one assist in nine outings for Oscar Pareja’s charges.
The youngster has cultivated a reputation for being a deadly finisher, both with his feet and head, in his short professional career, and although summer signing Odsonne Edouard has made a solid start to his Palace career, it’s clear the capital club could do with some extra firepower.
Despite Edouard’s well-taken brace against Tottenham Hotspur, the Eagles have failed to score in four of their opening six encounters this season in all competitions, meaning chairman Steve Parish must sanction a January move for Dike.
Vieira would surely love the added goal threat in his side, and he has the potential to take the Frenchman’s rebuilding job to the next level.
And, in other news…Signed for £8.1m, sold for £18m: Palace struck gold with 25y/o failure
