Crystal Palace big admirers of one of Championship’s top attackers last season

Crystal Palace are admirers of Daryl Dike but will have to wait if they want to make a concrete move for the American youngster.

The 21-year-old striker scored nine goals in 19 appearances for Barnsley last season as they reached the Championship play-offs.
But making the move permanent proved too rich a deal for the Tykes with Dike returning to parent club Orlando City in the summer.

The USA international has scored twice in the opening four matches of the MLS season – a double against San Jose Earthquakes. The MLS transfer window shut on August 5 which prevents Dike leaving until 2022.

Palace’s preferred option to reinforce their forward line had been Adam Armstrong, who joined Southampton in a £15million deal earlier this month. The 24-year-old’s ideal choice had been Palace, but they did not match the financial terms the Saints agreed with Blackburn Rovers.

Jean-Phillipe Mateta has struggled to impress since joining on loan from Mainz, calling into serious question whether Palace would push through a permanent deal when his 18-month loan ends in July.

The Frenchman has scored once in eight Premier League outings since his arrival in January. Mateta was hooked 57 minutes into Saturday’s 3-0 loss at Chelsea.