Southampton have targeted a German top flight talent as a potential replacement for Tyler Dibling amid his links to Everton.
Southampton travel to Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon, looking to continue their winning start to competitive life under Will Still.
Last weekend, Jack Stephens’ late Southampton winner completed the 2-1 comeback win at home to Wrexham.
Southampton followed that win up with a 1-0 win over Northampton Town in the opening round of the Carabao Cup.
Away from on-field matters, the future of Saints star Tyler Dibling hangs in the balance, and the fee required to sign his potential replacement has emerged.
Leo Scienza celebrates during SV Elversberg vs 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 in Bundesliga Play-offs Second Leg
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images
‘Minimum’ transfer fee Southampton must pay to sign Leo Scienza
Southampton are in the market for reinforcements on the flanks with Dibling linked with an Everton move.
Everton boss David Moyes commented on the Dibling saga by admitting that the Toffees are finding it “really difficult” to get deals over the line currently.
Ahead of the Ipswich clash, reports emerged that Southampton are chasing Leo Scienza as a potential replacement for Dibling amid his exit talks.
Brazilian international Scienza scored six goals and registered five assists for Bundesliga outfit FC Heidenheim last season.
Scienza scored and assisted against Elversberg in a 2-1 win in May in the Bundesliga play-offs to help his side stave off relegation.
Now, journalist Florian Plettenberg has revealed the “minimum transfer fee” Southampton must shell out to sign Scienza, with FC Koln and Borussia Monchengladbach also chasing the winger.
Sky Sports Germany reporter Plettenberg revealed on X: “FC Southampton are trying to sign Leo Scienza before Deadline Day. There is contact underway.
🚨🔴⚪️ FC Southampton are trying to sign Leo #Scienza before Deadline Day. There is contact underway.
Köln and Gladbach remain interested, but Heidenheim only want to sell and are aiming for a minimum transfer fee of €10 million.
Scienza’s contract is valid until 2027.… pic.twitter.com/8F2EohaG7O
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 16, 2025
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“Köln and Gladbach remain interested, but Heidenheim only want to sell and are aiming for a minimum transfer fee of €10 million. Scienza’s contract is valid until 2027.”
Scienza cemented himself as a Heidenheim hero for his performance in the relegation play-off win over Elversberg, and the winger certainly is a promising prospect for the Saints.
Tyler Dibling reacts during Eastleigh vs Southampton in a Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Leo Scienza’s 2024/25 season compared to Tyler Dibling’s at Southampton
Dibling has been training on his own at Southampton recently, given the speculation over his future, but Still is happy to reintegrate Dibling into first-team matters before the transfer saga concludes.
Scienza is an unproven quantity in English football, but Dibling proved himself in the top flight last term despite suffering relegation with the Saints.
Key statistic Leo Scienza in 24/25 Tyler Dibling in 24/25
Games played 37 38
Goals 6 4
Assists 5 2
Leo Scienza’s statistics in the 2024/25 season compared to Tyler Dibling’s.
One of Scienza’s most impressive attributes is his comfort with both feet, making him highly versatile on both flanks of attack.
Scienza scored a third of his Bundesliga goals last season with his less preferred left foot, and the 26-year-old’s unpredictability as a result of this trait would be difficult for Championship defences to deal with.