Tyler Dibling: The price Tottenham were quoted in January and how much it’s rocketed
Tyler Dibling’s £100million price tag at Southampton isn’t seen as realistic by Manchester City as they ready a bid to sign him, sources have told Football Insider.
Dibling has been the solitary shining light for Southampton this season in a dismal campaign which leaves them destined for relegation, and as a result has attracted transfer interest from several top clubs.
Football Insider revealed on 27 March that Tottenham are the current front-runners to sign Dibling after an initial enquiry back in January, and that interest in the 19-year-old has never really gone away.
Dibling is under contract at St. Mary’s until 2027 and expected to leave this summer despite Saints valuing him at £100m – a massive increase on the £50–60m price tag quoted to Tottenham in January.
Spurs saw that valutation as too excessive back then, and with Dibling set to have even less time on his contract this summer, both they and City have no plans to pay anything close to nine figures for him.
Manchester City make Tyler Dibling transfer decision
City are set to be firmly in the hunt alongside Tottenham to sign Dibling this summer, but paying £100m to do so is out of the question at the Etihad Stadium with a £50m or £60m price tag much more realistic.
The Blues’ former financial advisor Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider there is “zero chance” of City paying close to £100m for Dibling, arguing Southampton would be lucky to get half that amount.
Tottenham’s long-running interest in the Saints wideman could give them the advantage over City ahead of a crucial transfer window, and it remains to be seen how far either club can drive down his price tag.
Tyler Dibling transfer far from a priority at Man City
Although adding Dibling to his squad would give Pep Guardiola a supremely talented and versatile young player, it’s arguable that even ahead of a summer of change, the Spaniard already has all he needs.
Football Insider revealed on 30 March that City could farewell the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva this summer, in order to facilitate a move for AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijders.
However, following Nico O’Reilly’s dazzling display againt Bournemouth in the FA Cup last weekend, Guardiola already has a ready-made and versatile attack-minded left-footer in his ranks at the Etihad.
Phil Foden’s performances have been slammed this season, but as Paul Robinson told Football Insider on 28 March; form is temporary, class is permanent, and Foden will be back to his best sooner rather than later, negating the need for City to sign a player of Dibling’s profile.