Tyler Dibling, Aaron Ramsdale: Southampton ready for ‘huge’ exodus
Southampton are preparing to lose multiple star players including the likes of Tyler Dibling and Aaron Ramsdale in a “huge” summer at St Mary’s.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that players’ agents are already working to secure moves away.
The Saints will then be forced into the transfer market to replace their outgoing stars and will be under pressure to get their incoming deals right.
As things stand, Southampton look certain to suffer relegation and remain two points behind Derby’s record-low points tally in a Premier League season.
Most of their players have contract clauses which will trigger a wage reduction following their drop to the Championship – leaving them questioning their futures at the club.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 25 February that 19-year-old Dibling is certain to leave Southampton at the end of the season.
Now, he has explained that Chelsea target Aaron Ramsdale is also set to look for a move away from St Mary’s alongside a number of his teammates.
Southampton set for ‘very difficult’ summer after relegation
Football Insider revealed on 4 March that Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis is wanted by West Ham as he wants to remain a Premier League player next season.
Brown, who has experience in the recruitment department of relegated clubs including the likes of Aston Villa and Sunderland, has insisted it will be a “very, very difficult” summer for Southampton after dropping out of the top divison.
“Southampton are in a very, very difficult position,” he told Football Insider.
“They’ll go down, and the majority of their players will have clauses in their contracts which means they’ll have their wages reduced by around 20 per cent in the Championship.
“But several of those players are not going to want that reduction and they’ll want to move on.
“The question then is whether Southampton have the funds and scouting to replace them.
“Their better players are going to feel they can still play in the Premier League and their agents will be working to get them a move, if they aren’t already.
“Aaron Ramsdale would be one of those, he doesn’t want to play in the Championship.
“I feel sorry for them, it’s something I’ve experienced before.
“But they’re going to have difficulties because there are players who they want to keep, important players in that team, who are going to be looking for a way out.
“Top clubs will come in for players like Tyler Dibling, who has proven he can play at a higher level and will want to move after his taste of Premier League football.
“It’s going to be a huge summer for them and it will be a very, very difficult one.”
Crystal Palace join Tottenham in race to sign Tyler Dibling
Dibling’s future has been the subject of plenty of speculation throughout what has been a breakthrough season for the 19-year-old in the Premier League.
His 23 league appearances this season have attracted interest from the likes of Man United, Tottenham and Newcastle who have all had scouts in attendance at St Mary’s.
Now, Brown has told Football Insider that Crystal Palace want to sign Dibling and are prepared to compete with their Premier League rivals for his signature.
The Eagles are plotting an ambitious summer as they plan to back Oliver Glasner, and have a fantastic record at recruiting from the Championship.
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