West Ham on high alert for Tyler Dibling after Russell Martin contract admission
David Sullivan defied expectations when splashing the cash on new West Ham signings during the summer transfer window.
With £27million spent on Niclas Fullkrug [BBC Sport], £15million spent on Aaron Wan-Bissaka [BBC Sport], and £34million set to be forked out for Jean-Clair Todibo [BBC Sport], he was rightfully praised by the fans.
Despite this, the Hammers are still struggling to find any positive form under Julen Lopetegui and this may cause Tim Steidten to go on another hunt during the next two transfer windows.
According to CaughtOffside [11 December], scouts from the London Stadium have been keeping a close eye on Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling ahead of January.
It is understood that the 18-year-old has an asking price of £20.6million, but with Russell Martin’s most recent admission at St Mary’s Stadium, the club may have to settle for less.
Speaking to the media [13 December], quoted by the Daily Record, Martin said: “We offered him a new contract, it’s a very good one but his agent doesn’t agree as of now.”
West Ham United to steal Tyler Dibling bargain amid Saints contract situation?
Dibling has been a revelation for the Saints this season, albeit only scoring a single goal in the Premier League, but he has already earned the label of “rare breed” from Franny Benali [Southern Daily Echo].
Learning from the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta could be too much for a young star to turn down, especially if the club can offer him a deal that his agent prefers.
While the Hammers are struggling this season, they are unlikely to face relegation once Lopetegui steers the ship, but the same cannot be said for Martin’s side, who sit rock-bottom of the Premier League.
Jumping from the sinking ship would be an extremely difficult decision for the 18-year-old to make but it could be one that he is forced into if the Saints cannot win more points between now and the end of the season.
In other West Ham news, a club want to loan a Hammers defender with an obligation to buy, wages to be covered.
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