The gap between Premier League clubs and teams in the Championship is growing at an alarming rate, and Southampton could be the latest to benefit.
While not official just yet, Southampton are set to be plying their trade in the second tier of English football come 2025/26.
The Saints have picked up just nine points so far this season, already sitting 17 points adrift of 17th-place Wolverhampton Wanderers with just nine games left to play.
It’s an unfortunate situation for the south coast outfit, who are eyeing Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl as their new manager.
Southampton beat Leeds United to win the Championship play-offs last term and are once again likely to be among the favourites to go up in 2025/26, especially given the potential £100m transfer war chest heading their way.
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Southampton want more than £100m for Tyler Dibling
There have been very few positives for fans at St Mary’s this season, but one is certainly Tyler Dibling.
Born in Exeter, the 19-year-old has already cemented himself as a key figure in Southampton’s senior side this season.
The teenager has scored four and assisted two in 30 outings this term despite the Saints being in simply dire form.
This has obviously attracted the attention of some major clubs, and Southampton’s asking price for Dibling has now been revealed.
According to the Telegraph’s Matt Law, they have now put a valuation of more than £100m on the Englishman.
Tottenham Hotspur are said to have made the youngster a priority target, while Manchester City and Manchester United are among the sides who have scouted him regularly in 2024/25.
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
How much will Southampton receive in parachute payments
Should Dibling indeed go for £100m in the summer, the Saints will be looking at an incredible cash injection when they begin to rebuild and plot another promotion to the Championship.
It’s well known that clubs dropping down from the top flight are given generous parachute payments.
For example, Luton Town, Sheffield United, and Burnley, as per The Times, all received £49m this season following their relegation to the Championship.
Such fees make it difficult for teams who have been in the second tier for many years to even compete.
Leeds are also still receiving parachute payments following their relegation in 2023 and, unsprisngly, it is three of the aforementioned teams who are looking to win automatic promotion this term.
It’s yet to be confirmed how much the relegated clubs in 2024/25 will receive in payments but it’s expected to be a similar figure to what the three clubs from last term got.