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Credit: Imago
Chris Smith
Thu 14 August 2025 12:11, UK
Everton have been warned against increasing their bid for Southampton talent Tyler Dibling as the club weigh up other targets.
The Toffees have already been very active in the summer market, signing Jack Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Thierno Barry, Adam Aznou and Mark Travers.
However, more attacking reinforcements are needed for a side that scored just 42 Premier League goals last season — especially after the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure left at the end of their contracts, while Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom’s loans ended.
Even after signing Grealish, another winger appears to be high on David Moyes’ list of priorities, and Everton have been pushing hard to sign Dibling.
Tyler Dibling in 2024/25 (Credit: Imago)
Dibling was one of the few shining lights in a miserable 2024/25 campaign for Southampton, who finished bottom of the Premier League with just two wins and 12 points, while exiting the FA Cup and EFL Cup and the fourth round and quarter-finals, respectively.
The 19-year-old registered four goals and three assists in 38 appearances across all competitions, while he was second among his teammates for successful dribbles per 90 minutes (2.2) and first for fouls won (2.4, FBref).
Dibling’s form has attracted serious attention from Everton, and despite seeing a £40million rejected, the Toffees are expected to come back again — according to Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke.
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But former Everton star Dan Gosling has advised his old club against paying over the odds for someone as inexperienced and unproven as Dibling — who still has a lot of work to do in refining his end product.
“I think he’s a terrific talent,” the retired midfielder said of Dibling (Liverpool Echo, 14 August).
“The technical ability he has – England just keep producing these players now.
It was unheard of a few years ago.
“I think the £45m is a hell of a lot of money.
I don’t think people have actually seen the best of him and what he’s capable of.
“His dribbles last season were really good, but the end product might not have been there because there was nobody to pass to, or they didn’t get in the attacking areas enough.
“So he’s probably doing a lot of his work in his own half, taking two or three on and then getting fouled.
Nothing has come at the end of it.
“He’s a terrific talent – I just wonder if the £45 million fee is too much for Everton at this time.”
Football Insider verdict
Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images
If it’s immediate end product Everton need, Takefusa Kubo might be their best bet.
The Japan international’s name continues to be linked to Hill Dickinson Stadium, and given his exploits in La Liga, he would represent another big statement following the signing of Grealish.
Kubo — formerly of Real Madrid — has played 137 times for Real Sociedad since joining the club in 2022, registering 23 goals and 18 assists so far.
Real Sociedad statsTakefusa KuboAppearances137Goals23Assists15Takefusa Kubo’s career stats for Real Sociedad
That record sits alongside a haul of eight goals and 12 assists in 106 outings combined for Mallorca, Villarreal and Getafe during Kubo’s more developmental years in Spain.
The 24-year-old also has seven goals and 15 assists to his name in 44 caps for Japan.
According to Transfermarkt, Kubo has a release clause of €60m (£51.6m), which is only £1.6m more than what Southampton are thought to be demanding for Dibling.
Kubo would offer a much more proven and established option on the wing for Moyes, as he seeks to end a four-year run in the bottom half of the Premier League table for Everton.
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