Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit issues Southampton warning amid Tyler Dibling, Mateus Fernandes interest | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has urged Southampton not to sell Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes unless they have immediate replacements lined up.

Lee Hendrie has urged Southampton to only consider selling both Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes if they have immediate replacements lined up ready to join.

With Eberechi Eze's move to Arsenal for a reported fee of £60m plus £7.5m in add-ons, Crystal Palace have money to spend in the final few weeks of this summer's transfer window, and already have targets lined up.

Southampton duo Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes are both reported on the radar of the Eagles, in a double transfer swoop that could deal Will Still a significant blow if any moves materialise.

Having two crucial players leave this late into the transfer window could be a recipe for disaster for the Saints, as despite the fee they would receive, they would be short on time to secure the right replacement.

If Palace do come knocking, the Hampshire-based side will have to carefully weigh up their options with the two players, and decide whether it would be better to sell them or keep them.

Lee Hendrie urges Southampton be careful as Crystal Palace target Tyler Dibling, Mateus Fernandes swoop

Following reports that the FA Cup holders were chasing the Southampton duo, Football League World spoke exclusively to Aston Villa star turned Sky Sports pundit Hendrie, to gather his thoughts on a potential sale of Dibling and Fernandes.

Hendrie told FLW: "With Palace obviously losing players [such as] Eze will be a massive loss for them, so they'll have to fill the void of quality and young players to come in, which they have done in the past with their recruitment.

"Dibling and Fernandes - I really feel that Saints start letting these two go, particularly when there has to be a quick turnover of bringing something in or something like what those two players offer the football club. I think it's really difficult.

"I mean Tyler Dibling has been branded round all summer about going, and this might be the opportunity.

"It looks like it could be both [players], but I'm not sure whether getting rid of both of these players is the right solution for Southampton at all.

"I think Dibling would probably be the one that would definitely be more likely to go, but losing two of your players that are creative would be a little bit of a problem, particularly with the window nearing closing.

"You do feel that they'd have to have something up their sleeve immediately," Hendrie concluded.

Southampton must hold firm on Dibling and Fernandes transfer stance

After a torrid season in the Premier League last term, the Saints are looking to bounce straight back with promotion, and have ensured their chances of doing so are high by being ruthless in negotiations.

Both Dibling and Fernandes have been the subject of bids from Premier League sides, but Southampton were quick to knock both of these proposals back, as they want to keep their star players for a promotion push.

To change their stance with just a matter of days left in the transfer window would seem rather counter-productive, as they would be short of time to source replacements for two key players, which could deal a huge blow to their promotion aims.

Unless Palace offer something truly too good to say no to, which is highly unlikely, Southampton must hold firm on their stance this summer, as the net gains from a successful Championship campaign could be greater than any fee the Eagles could cough up.