Southampton Slam Door on Manchester United and Chelsea as They Set Sky-High Price for Rising Star Tyler Dibling

Southampton have turned down an initial £27 million ($35.5 million) bid from Everton for their promising talent Tyler Dibling, though the club is believed to have significantly reduced their asking price following relegation to the Championship.

Dibling burst onto the scene with an impressive beginning to his first Premier League season. During his inaugural top-flight start last September, Southampton's left-footed creative midfielder delivered a standout performance against Manchester United, earning an early spot-kick and consistently troubling Diogo Dalot.

The next match saw him net his maiden senior strike against Ipswich Town. The teenager soon attracted attention from United, with speculation of a £21 million ($27.6 million) bid emerging in January. When these rumors reached then-Saints manager Russell Martin, he chuckled: "I doubt you'll secure his left foot for that price."

Everton submitted a modest £27 million valuation for Dibling which Southampton promptly turned down, according to initial reports from The Times.

The demoted south coast outfit previously sought as much as £100 million ($131.6 million) for their academy graduate. That price tag has allegedly dropped considerably in recent months, with The Times reporting that Everton believe a £35 million ($46 million) proposal will succeed. Sky Sports News indicates that Southampton currently values Dibling at £40 million ($52.6 million).

Dibling is reportedly open to a summer move. The Exeter-native winger initially joined Southampton's youth system in 2012 before Chelsea acquired him a decade later. Dibling's stint in west London lasted merely 34 days. "I've made an error. I'm not enjoying this," he informed Jeremy Newton, his Southampton academy mentor, after featuring for Chelsea's U18s against the Saints with under a week left in the summer 2022 transfer window. Everton will hope this transaction proves more permanent.

Chelsea ranks among the clubs reportedly interested in Dibling since his senior breakthrough, along with Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and RB Leipzig.

Following that explosive start to his Premier League journey, Dibling's form declined. In his subsequent 14 league outings after the Ipswich goal, the pacey attacker accumulated more bookings (five) than efforts on target (four). By the conclusion of a dismal season that resulted in Southampton's record-early relegation, Dibling found starting opportunities scarce.