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Aston Villa could use their highly sought-after youngster to land a transfer blow on Tottenham Hotspur.
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Tottenham Hotspur emerged as frontrunners in the transfer race for Southampton hotshot Tyler Dibling this week ahead of a touted summer move.
The Saints are rock bottom of the Premier League and 13 points adrift of safety, looking condemned to relegation to the Championship. Should that happen, it is not expected that the talented Dibling settle for a campaign of second tier football.
Several Premier League clubs have been linked with the attacking midfielder and this week GiveMeSport claims that is is Spurs who are front of the queue. Dibling’s contract expires in 2026 but there is yet to be a renewal agreed at St Mary’s, with the chances of that looking increasingly slim.
Tottenham Hotspur frontrunners for Tyler Dibling transfer
Dibling’s minutes have decreased under Ivan Juric, who could be looking ahead to a future without the dynamic midfielder. The report adds that Southampton did not want to entertain a January exit for the player, who is valued at £50 million, but that a summer exit could be sanctioned for as low as £35 million given his contract extension.
Spurs are claimed to have already made contact with Dibling’s camp and believe he is sold on Ange Postecoglou’s project. Tottenham Hotspur are confident that agreeing personal terms with the player won’t be a problem but Newcastle United, Manchester United and Aston Villa are also linked with the player hailed as ‘something special’ by Danny Murphy.
Speaking on Match of the Day in December, former Tottenham Hotspur star Danny Murphy tipped Dibling to go on and achieve big things in his career. The pundit said: "It is the quality he has got - the belief in himself and the physical power. He just goes past people with ease. He has got a lovely left foot. He is very brave on the ball and his decision-making is good.
"It is difficult to get too over the top with these young players, because he has just come on to the scene, but he is going to be something special. It is great for him getting all these minutes at Southampton. They are giving him the freedom to play and giving him time to learn the game.
"He is just enjoying himself and he is playing with a real belief in himself. He is just instrumental in this team."
Aston Villa could seduce Southampton into sale
Despite the claims that Spurs are in a strong position to land Dibling, BirminghamWorld suggest that Aston Villa may have a ‘genius’ trump card up their sleeves. The outlet has suggested that the Villains could use winger Louie Barry as a way to lure Southampton into selling to Villa rather than Tottenham Hotspur.
Barry is seen as a future star but, despite recent head-turning loan spells, has not forced his way into Unai Emery’s thinking. The winger was recalled from a League One loan with Stockport County in January and sent off to Hull City as he works his way up the leagues, with several Championship clubs linked with interest in the player.
BirminghamWorld reports: “Barry was highly sought-after in the winter transfer window - with over a dozen Championship clubs understood to have enquired about his availability - and he’s probably good enough to play for a promotion-chasing club. As Barry’s stock is lower than Dibling’s, Villa would still have to offer a fee along with the player.
“Barry being involved could make for a discounted deal, though, and would provide Southampton with an easy route to life without their prized academy asset. Another option could be Villa being offered a slight discount if they give Southampton first dibs on loaning Barry for next season. Either way, in our view this could make great sense for all parties.”
In other news, former West Ham and Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui has been linked with a sensational return to Premier League management.