Everton are closing in on signing Tyler Dibling from Southampton as the Toffees’ summer-long search for a right winger seems to be coming to an end.
Developments on a deal for the 19-year-old took place quickly. Reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has also given his trademark “Here we go” for the deal!
“Verbal agreement at £42M plus sell-on clause to Southampton, long-term deal for Dibling agreed back in July,” Romano tweeted.
An imminent agreement has also been reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic, Richard Jolly of The Independent, Paul Joyce of The Times and Sky Sports News among others.
“The proposed package for Dibling will be worth just over £40M ($54.2M), with the clubs still finalising the details and structure of the deal, which will include a 20% sell-on clause for Southampton,” stated Ornstein in The Athletic.
“Personal terms have been agreed in principle but need finalising and, if all goes to plan, the 19-year-old will undergo a medical early next week.”
Everton had previously seen three bids rejected by Southampton for their teenage winger, one of the most highly rated attacking prospects in England. It is believed that the Blues had pulled out of the deal over a discrepancy in valuations between the two clubs.
However, the Saints have lowered their demands since then, allowing the Toffees to return to the negotiating table.
Dibling was left out of Will Still’s squad for Southampton’s first two matches in the Championship but played the final few minutes in the 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town recently.
He made 33 Premier League appearances last season and scored two goals.
Dibling is expected to slot straight into David Moyes’s starting XI, given that the squad does not have a right winger at the moment. Charly Alcaraz, Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye have deputised in that role with little to no success following the departures of loanees Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom.
When the transfer is made official, Dibling will become Everton’s eighth signing of the summer after the club already secured the arrivals of Thierno Barry, Carlos Alcaraz, Adam Aznou, Mark Travers, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tom King and Jack Grealish.