Nottingham Forest have reportedly joined the race to sign Southampton’s highly-rated young talent, Tyler Dibling. The 19-year-old midfielder caught the eye with his performances off the bench in the opening games of last season, earning him a first Premier League start against Manchester United. Despite the Saints losing 3-0, Dibling’s skills and pace impressed, and he went on to score his first two goals for the club before suffering an ankle injury that limited his playing time.
Russell Martin, Dibling’s former manager, has praised the youngster, saying he is the “most talented” player he’s ever worked with. Forest’s interest in Dibling makes sense, given their recent sale of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle and the ongoing speculation about Morgan Gibbs-White’s potential departure to Tottenham Hotspur. Dibling’s ability to dribble at pace and play in an attacking midfield role could make him a valuable addition to Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.
However, Southampton are reportedly demanding a minimum fee of around £55 million for Dibling, which could be a stumbling block for Forest. New Southampton boss Will Still has downplayed the interest from Forest, saying that Dibling is “not close to anything” and has featured in all of the club’s pre-season friendlies. If Dibling does leave, Southampton will at least make a good return on their home-grown talent. Fans, on the other hand, will miss seeing his silky skills and blistering pace at St Mary’s when the campaign gets underway.
Dibling’s impressive debut season saw him make 38 appearances, scoring four goals and registering three assists. His potential departure would be a significant loss for Southampton, but Forest believe he could be a key player for them next season. With Forest looking to strengthen their squad ahead of a busy season, Dibling’s skills and talent could be just what they need to take their team to the next level.
