Recent West Brom transfer update may have Daryl Dike sweating - He'll need to act | OneFootball

Albion’s addition of Aune Heggebo could spell trouble for Daryl Dike.

West Brom will be ramping up preparations for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

The Baggies’ playing squad will be getting used to the fresh ideas head coach Ryan Mason is looking to implement, with their batch of pre-season matches not far from getting underway.

The Black Country outfit have recruited two players so far during the summer transfer window, with Norwegian striker Aune Heggebo the latest to arrive to the club, joining from native club Brann.

Producing an impressive goalscoring record over in Norway, Heggebo will be looking to make a name for himself in the next phase of his career, competing for a starting spot against the likes of Josh Maja and Daryl Dike.

With the addition of Heggebo, the latter may be worried about his game time, and entering the final year of his contract, this arrival could be make or break for the 25-year-old.

Aune Heggebo's arrival increases competition for Daryl Dike

West Brom were in desperate need of a third striker after the departures of Will Lankshear and Adam Armstrong from their loan spells, while Devante Cole could well be on his way out of the club come the end of the summer transfer window.

At the age of 23, Heggebo has scored 51 goals in 146 appearances, consistently keeping himself fit and available – something Albion haven’t had the luxury of in the last couple of seasons.

Dike has been on the other side of the spectrum, hampered badly by several issues since arriving from Orlando City.

His first fitness issue came after suffering a hamstring tear in a 3-0 victory over Peterborough United, which was only his second appearance and start for the club.

After the departure of Valerien Ismael, Dike would feature just once throughout Steve Bruce’s eight-month tenure in B71, and after appearing on the opening day of the 2022/23 season, the striker was hit with a thigh issue which would keep him out for a further three months.

A 22-game playing run under Carlos Corberan came to an end with his first achilles rupture, and while making his return the following year, Dike would pick up another achilles injury at Portman Road against Ipswich Town.

Making an eagerly-awaited return to action back in February, Dike managed to keep his body in check, starting on the final day of last season against Luton Town under James Morrison, notching a goal and assist.

While he ended last season on a positive note, the arrival of Heggebo could reset all the momentum, with Dike now having to prove himself more than ever to have a regular role in Ryan Mason’s set-up.

Daryl Dike may find himself down the pecking order at West Brom

There’s every chance Daryl Dike could see a significant reduction in playing time now the frontline competition has been bolstered.

Josh Maja proved in the first half of last season that he can regularly find the back of the net at this level, while Heggebo possesses impressive link-up play, good physicality and a clinical eye for goal that can make him a roaring success in the second tier.

We do have to bear in mind that we are unsure how Ryan Mason will line up his team come the start of the season. Maja could end up slotting into the number 10 position due to his ability to drop deep and excellently transition the play, but supporters are sure to want to see Tammer Bany get more of a regular spell in the team, so Mason does have a headache to find the right balance.

Having Maja behind the striker could allow Dike to potentially pip Heggebo for a starting spot or at least get more minutes from the bench, but if the trio are all competing to lead the line, then Maja’s goalscoring ability and the excitement to see what Heggebo can produce may well leave Dike as third-choice forward.

It’s now or never for Dike when it comes to his Albion career, with the American entering the final year of his contract at The Hawthorns.

The frontman has to give back to the club and supporters that have shown so much patience during his injury troubles.

In pre-season, Dike must give all he can to show Mason what he can offer and that he is the man to lead the line consistently. If he can’t, then you feel his Baggies stint will end with a whimper.