Latest developments
- Chelsea are in the hunt to sign Tyler Dibling from Southampton.
- The Blues are one of five elite-level clubs chasing him.
- Dibling had a brief spell with Chelsea's academy in 2022.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3/5): Guardian football coverage reliable
Chelsea are one of five sides trying to land the signing of highly-rated Southampton winger, Tyler Dibling.
This comes from The Guardian, who name Tottenham, Aston Villa, Liverpool and RB Leipzig as the other four, with other sources saying Man Utd are still interested. Love it or hate it, The Guardian can often be trusted with transfer rumours.
Value (3/5): Saints name their price
Southampton are desperate to hold on their breakout star in what has been a dismal season, but that hasn't stopped them asking for £55 million.
A market value of £18.55 million and only a handful of top-flight appearances – albeit impressive ones – suggests the asking price is to fend off would-be suitors, but a formal bid from any side is not out of the question.
Suitability (3.5/5): Second time lucky?
Chelsea clearly didn't think Dibling was suitable in 2022, when they signed him from the Saints' academy, before he was back on the south coast three months later.
Dibling has gone on to prove the Blues wrong, playing 20 times in the league this season. He is still raw, but his skill from the right-wing could be utilised by Enzo Maresca's side, who rely on their wide men for creativity.
Upgrade? (2/5): One for the future
The England under-21 man has been the star at the Premier League strugglers, but he would likely be an understudy to Chelsea, at least for his first season or two.
In Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto, Chelsea have two young, capable right-wingers on long contracts, not to mention Cole Palmer can also play on the right.
Logic (1.5/5): Never go back?
Dibling has the qualities to play for a team competing for titles, but will there be any incentive to return to Stamford Bridge, where his first stint was hardly fruitful?
Offers from clubs of a similar stature are likely to come soon, and why Chelsea think they need him is unclear, when they need cover on the left.
Whisper+ verdict: 13/25
Any one of those half a dozen clubs putting in a bid in the coming days would hardly be a surprise, but Dibling choosing Chelsea would be.
