Ademola Lookman
Atalanta reportedly want £50million for Ademola Lookman
One of Manchester United's possible attacking reinforcements in the summer transfer window may have already been decided following revelations of Southampton's mega-money demand for Tyler Dibling.
The attacking midfielder is one of the Saints players expected to be involved in an ongoing transfer saga in the summer with the club set to be relegated from the Premier League.
Interest in the Englishman has increased since the start of the season and according to The Telegraph, Southampton are anticipating strong interest in their most-prized asset.
It's understood that Tottenham have made the teenager a priority having enquired about his services in January. United have been linked since the last window with the report claiming Manchester City, Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig have all regularly scouted Dibling.
Southampton have a rich history of developing talented players with the likes of Theo Walcott, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gareth Bale graduating from their academy. Dibling is thought to be the one of the best in recent years and their asking price backs that.
The Telegraph report claims that the Championship-primed side will demand over £100million for Dibling in the summer. A deal close to that fee could see the England Under-21 international become the most expensive British player in history - currently Jack Grealish.
The fee is significantly more than the £35m price touted in recent months. At £100m, United's hopes of landing him are all but over amid their hopes of strengthening Ruben Amorim's squad. PSR is set to be a problem once again and splashing £100m on an unproven player would be difficult.
Dibling has scored four goals this season and assisted just two more in 30 games. At 19, clubs are investing in the potential rather than the immediate impact that Ruben Amorim's side needs.
Ademola Lookman would solve Manchester United's problems in attack (Image: 2024 Image Photo Agency)
The revelation of Southampton's mega asking price comes on the same day that Atalanta have slapped a £50m price tag on Ademola Lookman. The forward, eight years older than Dibling, has scored 18 goals in 32 games, surpassing last season's tally with two months of football still to play.
Tuttomercatoweb have claimed that Atalanta are willing to sell the Nigeria international for £50m this summer. Lookman is a name that is guaranteed to dominate the headlines in the summer transfer window and United would do a lot worse to meet Atalanta's asking price.
Coming in at half the price for Dibling, it's a transfer decision that is already made up for Ineos and United.
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