‘Very shy boy’ – Matt Le Tissier issues Tyler Dibling warning as Tottenham rival Everton in race
Tyler Dibling is not the finished article and whichever side buys the young Southampton winger will need to be patient as he finds his feet.
That is the verdict of Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier, who told Football Insider exclusively that the youngster may take “a little while to settle at a new club”.
Dibling had interest from clubs such as Liverpool, Crystal Palace, and Newcastle, after being one of the few bright sparks in a dismal Saints side last season.
Southampton set a prohibitively high asking price of £100million [The Telegraph] for the 19-year-old in March 2025, but that figure has halved since then.
Everton made two offers for Dibling, bidding £40m, but Will Still’s side rebuffed their approach and are asking for £50m [The Athletic], and now Tottenham have joined the race after losing out on Eberechi Eze on top of Morgan Gibbs-White [Standard].
The second of the Toffees bids came on 4 August, and whilst there has been little activity surrounding the winger since then, The Guardian reported on 21 August that David Moyes’ side are “likely to make a fresh approach” for the youngster soon.
Matt Le Tissier issues Tyler Dibling warning
This article contains exclusive comment from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier.
Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Le Tissier warned that the England Under-19 international was a “very shy boy”, and it would likely take time for him to settle at a new club.
Dibling spent a brief period at Chelsea during his academy years, but returned to Southampton after failing to settle at the West London club.
Le Tissier said: “There is definitely talent there. I think it’s a case of, can he find a club that’s going to get the best out of him?
“I know he’s a very shy boy, you know, and it might take him a little while to settle at a new club.
“If a club was going to buy him, all I would say to the fans is you might need to be patient with this one.
“It might be that it’s a couple of years before you see the best of him.
“I remember myself as an 18, 19 year old. Your form is very erratic at that age, you are up and down a lot.
“I was probably in my early 20s before I really settled into a rhythm and found a decent, prolonged period of good form.
“Any club that does buy them, I’d say to the supporters of them, just be a little bit patient with him.”
Everton go head-to-head with Nottingham Forest for Kellen Fisher
From one Championship player potentially joining the Toffees, to another. Everton are battling with Nottingham Forest for Kellen Fisher, Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider exclusively.
The young right-back is an England Under-20 international and won Norwich City’s Young Player of the Year award last season.
Fisher made 38 appearances in the Championship for the Canaries last season and is capable of playing in both defence and midfield.
Jake O’Brien has begun the season at right-back despite being a natural centre-back, and the position is an area of need for Everton.