Aston Villa Remain Keen On This Southampton Ace: Why They Must Not Give Up The Chase | OneFootball

If a report from talkSport is believed to be true, Aston Villa are keeping close tabs on Tyler Dibling ahead of a potential summer swoop. But they are not alone in the hunt, with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United also considering a move for the Southampton sensation.

It is a matter of when the Saints get relegated from the Premier League. They are rock-bottom in the standings with just 9 points from 27 games, and therefore, likely to lose several top talents including the 19-year-old attacking ace. He is also drawing interest from abroad with the German giants RB Leipzig emerging as one of the suitors during the winter window.

The England youth international spent his youth years across the country, starting from local clubs Axminster Town and Millwey Rise. He then had brief stints with Southampton and his boyhood side Exeter City before rejoining the Saints at the age of 8. Despite leaving for Chelsea in 2022, the teenager returned to the south coast in a few months after failing to settle in West London.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 07: Tyler Dibling of Southampton is challenged by Youri Tielemans of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Southampton FC at Villa Park on December 07, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Dibling only made five appearances last season but is enjoying his breakthrough campaign with 28 outings across competitions. Although he has only scored twice in 23 league games, his flair down the right-hand flank has caught the eyes of several English hotshots. Villa are one of the frontrunners to snap up the young attacker, however, Tottenham Hotspur believe that they hold an edge in the chase given his contract situation at St Mary’s.

Why Aston Villa Should Step Up The Chase

While his current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2027, Dibling is reportedly not happy with the extension offer. Southampton’s position in the Premier League has further jeopardized his long-term future, and Spurs, who have heavily invested on ‘project signings’ over the past couple of windows, expect the £50m asking fee to be reduced in the summer.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, are going strong in Europe as a 3-1 win on the road against Club Brugge has put them in the driver’s seat for a Champions League quarterfinal spot. But they have struggled so far for a ‘top four’ spot, which led to significant January reinforcements in Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen. The priority remains to convert Rashford’s loan into a permanent transfer, and the Lions would need to splash around £40m to tie down the outcast Manchester United star.

Yet they should chase Dibling for his flexibility high up the pitch. The youngster has shown his expertise as a ‘number 10’ and could provide competition to Morgan Rogers in Unai Emery’s 4-2-3-1 system. The next few months would be crucial for all, including the Saints, as the race for their prized asset might boost them financially for the forthcoming campaign.