SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 04: Tyler Dibling of Southampton looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Brentford FC at St. Mary's Stadium on January 04, 2025 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Southampton have reportedly set a price of £55m to sign Tyler Deepling, as the Premier League strugglers look to prize away interested clubs.
The Saints are bottom of the league table after a dismal season so far – but one of their bright sparks has come through the teenager.
Newcastle are believed to be keen on signing the striker, but now Sky Sports are reporting that Chelsea are also on the table too.
Journalist Lyall Thomas reported on Wednesday evening: “Southampton will not accept bids worth less than at least £55m for Tyler Diebling this month as #AstonVilla, #Chelsea and #Tottenham continue to monitor the 18-year-old's progress at #SaintsFC.”
It has been Debling's breakout season. He is starting to make a name for himself at Southampton after a short spell at Chelsea in 2022, where he made just two appearances for their academy.
He was offered nearly £3,000 a week to stay at St Mary's, but Chelsea's higher offer lured him away.
However, the Exeter-born striker – Which Manchester United also loves – He struggled to adapt to the west London club, and after a few appearances with the Blues' youth team, there were talks to bring him back to Southampton again.
According to what The Athletic reported last month. Some senior Saints figures initially expressed concerns. The club was concerned about the message it would send to other academy players if the club welcomed back someone who had left and then chosen to return.
But Matt Hill, Southampton's academy director at the time, wanted the best players at the club, so he got them to offer him a contract on much reduced wages – and he signed it.
Tyler Dibling transfer: Why did the 18-year-old leave Southampton?
Dave Horsman, the club's academy coach at the time of Dibling's return, praised the teenager's attitude. He said: “When I knew he was coming back, I sat down all the U21 and U18 players and explained to them what was happening.
“When he came back from Chelsea, he went to the under-18s. He had to earn the right to come back. He never complained, at least not to us, and looking back, when you put the pieces together, he showed he had a strong character.
“He had to accept it and go again, and I'm sure Tyler felt embarrassed when he came back.”
