ORLANDO – After scoring his first international goal the interest in Orlando City’s Daryl Dike has only increased with English Premier League side Watford has joined the list of suitors.
Interest in Dike was already high after his impressive loan to Barnsley of the English Championship when he scored nine goals. As Barnsley failed to achieve promotion they opted to not make Dike’s move permanent meaning he has now returned to Orlando for the immediate future.
That has led to Orlando raising the asking price for their striker, with reports surfacing that the Lions are looking for $20 million to part with him. That may have priced many teams out with no offer currently on the table at Orlando’s offices.
The Athletic reported on Monday that Watford has joined the list of interested parties in the 20-year-old for the 2021-22 English Premier League season. The Hornets beat Barnsley to promotion this year and have an opening up front after Stipe Perica will be taking Dike’s spot in Barnsley.
Watford isn’t the only team on the list, with Chelsea and Everton also apparently interested in adding him to their squads but the Hornets may be the best fit. There’ll be less competition for Dike in Watford, but the money may be a big ask for Watford to part with for someone who has only had 19 matches in the second division of English football but has proven he has kept that form going.
Additionally, Watford will have lower expectations than clubs like Chelsea or Everton, although in Chelsea he would have a US National Teammate in Christian Pulisic.
It’s clear Dike is bound to leave for Europe in the coming weeks or months, the main question is where.
Photo courtesy Orlando City SC/MLS
Florida Soccer Report 