BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Tyler Dibling of Southampton ahead of the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Southampton FC at Villa Park on December 07, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Southampton star Tyler Dibling has caught the eye of Manchester United
Southampton boss Russell Martin has laughed off the suggestion that £21million would be an acceptable price for Tyler Dibling.
The 18-year-old has caught the eye despite the Saints' dreadful first season back in the Premier League. Dibling has made 16 appearances in all competitions, scoring once and notching two assists.
In recent weeks, he has become Martin's first-choice right winger, though has the ability to play in a number of positions. That verstatility and his performances have led to links with a move to Manchester United in the January transfer window.
Aston Villa, as well as several clubs in Germany and Italy, are also thought to be interested. A fee of £21m had been suggested as a potential price for Dibling, who will have two years remaining on his contract come the summer, though Martin has now rebutted those claims.
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"I was told some rumours about Man Utd, one was a bid of £21m. I'm not sure you'll get his left foot for that. We have offered him a contract, a really good contract for someone his age. At the minute, I don't think his agent agrees, so that's where we're at," Martin said.
"I think Tyler wants it done, I think Tyler's parents want it done, so we'll see how long that takes. There is an option. We can extend. I don't think we want to do that - we want to reward Tyler for his performances.
"I've spoken to Tyler's mum and dad about it, I've spoken to Tyler, but then I'm not involved in any of the negotiations - that's down to Phil [Parsons, chief executive] and the gang, the owners and Tyler's agent - and that's where it gets tricky."
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Saints boss Russell Martin is keen to keep Dibling though ( Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
United boss Ruben Amorim has made no secret of the fact he expects the Red Devils to be busy in the winter window. Amorim has endured a difficult start to his reign and could look to bring in reinforcements.
"I'm really focused on my players and understanding my players, I think that was one of the problems of this club. We have to focus on what we have, the Academy and also to have the clear profile when you get the players," he said ahead of Thursday's win over Viktoria Plzen.
"It is a lot of details you have to manage. Every detail counts. You have to be very clear in the profiles, arrange all the processes and then go to that phase of buying and selling. This is a massive club, we have to improve as a team.
"We have to arrange a lot of things in our club before just in buying and selling players. Let's focus on improving our players, improving our Academy and then we will see. There is a lot at stake in this moment, we have a lot to do.
"The players have contracts and we have to see them with a new coach, a new idea. We have to see what happens. Like any other team when the window is open we can do something but in this moment, our focus is to win games and we have to have this feeling of winning."
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