SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 4: Tyler Dibling of Southampton looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Brentford FC at St Mary’s Stadium on January 4, 2025 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Southampton have reportedly set a £55m price tag on Tyler Dibling as the Premier League strugglers look to fend off interested clubs.
Saints, bottom of the league table after a woeful season so far, but one of their bright sparks has come the way of the teenager.
Newcastle are believed to be keen on the striker, but now Sky Sports are reporting that Chelsea are also on the table.
Reporter Lyall Thomas reported on Wednesday evening: “Southampton would not accept offers of less than £55m at least for Tyler Dibling this month; as #AstonVilla, #Chelsea and #Tottenham continue to monitor the 18-year-old’s progress at #SaintsFC.”
It has been a breakout season for Dibling. He has started to make a name for himself at Southampton after a brief spell at Chelsea in 2022, where he made just two appearances for their academy.
He was offered approximately £3,000 per week to remain at St. Mary’s, but Chelsea’s higher bid lured him away.
However, the Exeter-born striker – which also likes Manchester United – struggled to fit in at the west London club and after a handful of appearances for the Blues’ youth set-up, talks were held to bring him back to Southampton once again.
According to The Athletic last month, some important Saints figures initially expressed concern. The club was concerned about the message it could send to other academy players if the club welcomed someone who left and then chose to return.
But Matt Hale, director of Southampton’s academy at the time, wanted the best players at the club, so he pushed them to offer him a contract with very low wages, and he signed him.
Tyler Dibling transfer: Why did the 18-year-old sensation leave Southampton?
Dave Horseman, the club’s academy coach at the time of Dibling’s return, praised the teenager’s attitude. He said: “When I found out I was coming back I sat all the Under-21s and Under-18s down and explained what was going on.
“When he came back from Chelsea, he went to the under-18s. He had to earn the right to return. He never whined, at least to us, and looking back, when you put the pieces together, it proved to be a strong character.
“He had to suck it up and go back, and I’m sure Tyler was as uncomfortable as anything when he came back.”
