Spurs dealt blow in race to sign Southampton star after £35m January rejection | OneFootball

Tyler Dibling is set to leave the Saints this summer with numerous clubs interested

German side RB Leipzig are reportedly front-runners to sign in-demand Southampton winger Tyler Dibling in the upcoming summer transfer window, with Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur both also believed to be interested in a move for his services.

Dibling has enjoyed a breakout season in the Premier League with the Saints, despite their struggles that have seen them become the earliest team ever to be relegated from England's top flight this month.

The 19-year-old signed his first professional contract at St Mary's in February 2023, and made his debut for the first-team later that year, but did not have much of an impact that season as they were promoted out of the Championship.

He has been a revelation throughout this campaign, however, with consistently standout performances that have reportedly alerted some of Europe's biggest and best clubs to his potential availability this summer.

The Bundesliga has provided a real path to success for numerous young English talents in recent years, and Dibling could become the latest of those to ply his trade in Germany if new reports are to be believed.

RB Leipzig lead the way for Tyler Dibling's services - Bayern Munich are also interested

Dibling has registered four goals and three assists in 33 appearances in all competitions for Saints this season, and his quick, direct playing style has seen him earn plaudits throughout English football, while his trademark low socks have seen him compared to fellow English winger Jack Grealish.

Tottenham Hotspur were reported to have had a £35 million bid for his services rejected in the January window, while the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United are all said to have him on their radar as the summer approaches.

Despite those links, Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has now claimed that RB Leipzig are ahead in the race for the 19-year-old's signature, with German giants Bayern Munich also believed to be interested.

Plettenberg also claims that his potential price tag will be a lot lower than what has already been mooted, after Southampton were reported to be demanding a staggering £100m for his services last month.

Dibling is relaxed about his Saints future, but a Championship return seems unlikely

It is clear that a real race is on to secure the services of one of England's newest rising talents in Dibling this summer, but while interested clubs continue to plan for the transfer window, the 19-year-old will be focusing on ending the campaign on a high after such a dismal season for all connected to Southampton.

The Saints have broken all kinds of records on their way to being relegated with seven games still to play, but their main current goal will be to avoid becoming the worst team in Premier League history, with two points needed from their last six outings to eclipse Derby County's record lowest total of 11 points in 2007.

Dibling himself has been one of the few shining lights for Southampton, and he is sure to net them a healthy fee when he does move on. Despite many supporters' hopes that he could stick around for their return to the second-tier, it seems unlikely, after the aforementioned Plettenberg also reported that a move away from St Mary's is planned for him this summer.

The 19-year-old has previously played down such links, telling BBC Radio Solent back in February that he "(doesn't) really change" in the face of interest from big clubs that are playing at the highest level.

He will no doubt be relaxed with the situation at hand, as, despite going through a tough time with his teammates on the pitch, he is set to be able to take his pick from some of the world's best teams in terms of who he wants to join this summer, which is a fairly impressive decision to get to make at his age.