Man Utd have major advantage over rivals in transfer race for Premier League ace
Manchester United bosses believe technical director Jason Wilcox could hold the key to luring Tyler Dibling away from Southampton in the summer.
Dibling has enjoyed an eye-catching breakthrough season for Southampton in the Premier League and has been one of few shining lights in an otherwise wretched campaign for the club.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who was briefly on Chelsea’s books, has racked up four goals and two assists in all competitions for the Saints this term and is being widely tipped for a big future in the game.
But uncertainty has been growing over Dibling’s next steps, with Southampton’s return to the Championship all but confirmed and the teenager expected to leave.
According to Mail Sport, 14 Premier League teams, including Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City, are keeping close tabs on Dibling’s situation and have made enquiries over the youngster’s potential availability.
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Bundesliga trio Bayern Munich, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have also been credited with a strong interest in the England Under-21 international.
However, the report suggests Manchester United are the frontrunners for Dibling given technical director Wilcox shares a close relationship with the Southampton starlet from his time at St Mary’s.
It’s claimed United scouts have watched Dibling on a number of occasions this season and Ruben Amorim could look to convert Dibling into a right wing-back.
The Red Devils even had scouts in attendance at Bangor City Stadium last Wednesday as Dibling starred in the England U19s’ European Championship Elite Round victory over Wales.
Jadon Sancho, Antony and Marcus Rashford are all likely to move on from the Theatre of Dreams in the summer transfer window and the club are eager to strengthen out wide.
It’s understood Southampton will be demanding a fee in excess of £55million for Dibling, who signed his first professional contract just two years ago.
‘I think what is best for him is to play for Southampton and keep growing up,’ Southampton head coach Ivan Juric told reporters in January when asked about Dibling’s future.
‘He is still young and he has to concentrate only on training well and playing games. Nothing else.’
Dibling has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current deal on the south coast.
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