Daryl Dike has spurred interest from EPL seasons, thanks to his hot streak. (Photo courtesy of MLS)

As a rookie with Orlando City SC in 2020, Daryl Dike scored eight goals in 17 appearances.

Believe it or not, he is on a better pace as a loan player with Barnsley in the English Championship.

The 20-year-old forward struck for both goals in Barnsley’s 2-1 victory over Luton Town Monday, giving him an impressive seven goals in 13 matches since he joined the club on loan Feb. 1.

He snapped a scoreless tie in the 27th minute before lifting Barnsley to a 2-0 advantage in the 59th minute.

Dike, a member of the U.S. men’s national team, has helped Barnsley moved into the promotion race in the league as it is in fifth place with 68 points, trailing Brentford and Swansea City by one.

While Barnsley is a longshot for automatic promotion to the English Premier League, it must secure at least a sixth-place finish to enter the playoffs to battle for a spot in the top tier in May.

There is little doubt that Dike’s price for a permanent transfer to an English club, most likely in the Premier League, has risen considerably. Orlando Sentinel sportswriter Julie Poe reported that Orlando City is seeking $20 million for Dike.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.