Chelsea have reopened talks with representatives of Tyler Dibling, FootballTransfers understands, as the Blues consider a fresh move for the Southampton wonderkid three years after a short-lived stint at Cobham.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is one of the most sought-after English prospects, with top Premier League and European clubs tracking his situation closely.
That experience was seen as a setback at the time, but sources close to Dibling now describe him as “mentally stronger and ready to step out of his comfort zone” in 2025.
Since returning to Saints, Dibling has gone from strength to strength, becoming a regular in Southampton’s first team during the 2024/25 campaign.
He has won plaudits for his creative spark, ball-carrying ability and composure in the final third of the park.
His development has reignited interest from Chelsea, who view him as a long-term creative option in midfield – a potential foil to Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez.
Southampton driving a hard bargain
Southampton are believed to be demanding upwards of €65 million (£55m), with some sources suggesting internal valuations north of €115m (£100m) – a figure that would place Dibling among the most expensive teenagers in Europe. However, FootballTransfers’ in-house algorithm currently values the player at €41 million (£35m).
Spurs, Liverpool, Man Utd, Aston Villa and RB Leipzig are all monitoring the situation, while Bayern Munich and Porto have also made contact in recent months.
Chelsea, under sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, are understood to be considering whether to push forward with a formal offer or wait until later in the window.
Saints are thought to be open to a move if their valuation if met, aware that they may not be able to hold onto the player.
Dibling, meanwhile, wants a repeat of 2022, with guaranteed minutes thought to be key to an agreement.
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