EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea revive interest in Southampton star Tyler Dibling

Steve Kay
Steve Kay
  • Updated: 4 Jul 2025 14:10 BST
  • 4 min read
Tyler Dibling, Chelsea, 2024/25
© IMAGO

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.

Article continues under the video

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.

Current ETV
Player image Tyler Dibling
Tyler Dibling

AM, M (R)

Southampton logo

Southampton

Tyler Dibling
Tyler Dibling

AM, M (R)

Southampton

Southampton

€37.1M

ETV Range

€33.4M - €40.9M

Dibling briefly joined Chelsea in the summer of 2022 after lighting up Southampton's academy, including a hat-trick against Newcastle U18s that drew widespread attention. But the move unravelled within weeks, with the player struggling to settle away from home and eventually returning to the south coast.

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.

Tyler Dibling, Southampton
© IMAGO - Tyler Dibling, Southampton

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.

Football transfer news headlines today

Viktor Gyokeres transfer news today: HUGE offers rejected amid ‘intimidation and threats’ claim

OFFICIAL: Chelsea sign record-breaking forward

OFFICIAL: Nico Williams signs 10-year contract to leave Barcelona stunned

DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer

Fabrizio Romano transfer news: Madueke VERDICT, Man Utd CALLS, Nico Williams LATEST

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

Google Play

App Store

Never miss the next big transfer!

Get the latest transfer insights and analyses directly in your mailbox.