Manchester United are reportedly confident that Jason Wilcox's presence at Old Trafford will give them the edge when it comes to the battle to sign Southampton teenager Tyler Dibling.
The 19-year-old has been a standout player for a struggling Southampton this season, scoring four times and registering two assists in 30 appearances in all competitions, and he is said to be on the radar of a number of major clubs.
Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool are three of the Premier League teams believed to be keen on the teenager, while Man United are also thought to be determined to sign him during this summer's transfer window.
According to the Daily Mail, Man United sent scouts to watch Dibling in action for England Under-19s against Wales Under-19s last week, and the Red Devils are thought to have watched him on multiple occasions this term.
The report claims that the 20-time English champions believe that the presence of Wilcox at Old Trafford will give them an edge.
Wilcox arrived at Man United from Southampton last year, where he knew Dibling, and the club's technical director is heavily involved in transfer policy with his new team.
© Imago
Man United 'hope Wilcox will give them the edge' in Dibling race
Dibling spent time with Chelsea during his youth career, but he signed a scholarship deal with Southampton in 2022 and then went on to make his first-team debut for the Saints in August 2023.
The attacker's Premier League debut came last August, and he has been comfortably Southampton's standout performer this season despite only finding the back of the net on two occasions in the Premier League.
The Saints are set to drop down to the Championship for the 2025-26 campaign, but they have Dibling on a contract until June 2027 and are therefore in a relatively strong position when it comes to potential negotiations.
There have previously been suggestions that Southampton would be looking for as much as £55m for Dibling, although it is difficult to imagine any club meeting that price during the summer market.
"I was told some rumours about Man United, one was a bid of £21m. I am not sure you will get his left foot for that," ex-Southampton head coach Russell Martin said towards the end of 2024 when questioned on the forward's future.
Dibling fits the brief in terms of Man United's new transfer policy, with the club now targeting talented youngsters rather than paying huge fees for established stars.
Matt Law
