Newcastle United will have to work hard if they want to tempt Southampton prospect Tyler Dibling into a move up north to St James' Park.
The Magpies are reportedly interested in the Saints 16-year-old attacking midfield starlet who bagged a first half hat-trick against Newcastle in the Premier League 2 for Southampton back in April. Dibling is one of Southampton's highest rated youngster to come through their academy set-up in recent times. His performances for the U18s and B team last term earned him a spot on the bench for Southampton's Premier League fixture against Brentford back in May.
The teenager, who is also an U16 England international, has been tipped for big things at Southampton and is someone Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl rates highly.
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“It is always good to see such a young player shows this talent," Hasenhuttl said in the wake of Dibling's Tyneside hat-trick.
"We don't want to hang it too high, when you score three goals for the B team, but we know this is not normal. We know this player and we have a high opinion, he can definitely be a player for the future for Southampton. I am sure he can score other goals too.”
And herein lies the potential issue behind Newcastle's pursuit of Dibling.
At just 16, Dibling is already involved with Southampton's B team and is on the fringes of their first team. If he moved to Newcastle, would he be even close to Eddie Howe's first team plans? Chances are he wouldn't.
The teenager has a better chance of earning first team football at St Mary's. While Hasenhuttl has said Dibling development won't be rushed, the likelihood is Southampton won't want to lose him. Their best chance of getting him to stay is by involving him in their first team plans.
Right now, despite Newcastle's new found stature owed to their Autumn takeover last season, Southampton can offer Dibling more in footballing terms than the Magpies can.
That may prove vital when it comes to Dibling deciding where his future lies.
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