Manchester United are keen on young Southampton winger Tyler Dibling but face serious competition from Newcastle United, according to reports.
The 18-year-old has been the one of the few bright sparks in a harrowing season for the Saints, and his impressive performances in a struggling team have put top sides on alert.
What’s more, Football Insider have claimed that the player is “keen” on a move to either side as he looks to continue his meteoric rise.
Their report states that the two Uniteds are “racing to sign” the player, and Newcastle could look to steal a march on the Old Trafford side by making a move for him in January.
The report notes, however, that any deal is “more likely to take place in the summer as Southampton are not willing to see a key player leave mid-way through the season.”
The south coast side are rock bottom of the Premier League with just one win from 16 games, and are fresh off a 0-5 hiding at home to Tottenham Hotspur which saw manager Russell Martin lose his job.
Martin’s spell in charge sticks in the mind for all the wrong reasons, but his response to a suggested £21 million fee for Dibling was memorable: “I’m not sure you’ll get his left foot for that.”
It showed how much he valued the youngster, but he went on to explain how demands made by the player’s agent were slowing talks over a new contract.
In addition, Football Insider have claimed that the club “could be forced to cash in on the winger” if they are relegated “in an attempt to balance the books”.
While anything can happen in football, their incoming manager will have a tough job on his hands to avoid that.
All in all, there is a “growing feeling” that a sale for Dibling will be sanctioned.
The report states that “Dibling would be equally keen on the step up to either Man United or Newcastle”, but the clubs can expect to face fresh challengers for his signature should he become available.
Dibling has one goal from 15 Premier League games for the Saints, operating chiefly from the right but with spells through the middle as well.
He has played the full 90 minutes in four of their last five games as his breakout season at the top level gathers pace.
Feature image Michael Steele via Getty Images
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Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
