Dibling is Saints’ most ‘saleable asset’

Southampton “don’t need Tyler Dibling in the Championship”, says BBC Radio Solent sports editor Adam Blackmore.

Speaking on the BBC Radio Sussex’s Albion Unlimited podcast, looking ahead to the Saints’ match against Brighton on Saturday, Blackmore said: “[Dibling] turned 19 this week and he is a really good talent. I spoke to him properly for the first time last week and he has a lovely, simple,19-year-old’s way of looking at the game.

“I asked him: ‘How have you bulked up and got more powerful?’ And he said: ‘Well, I haven’t really. I have just played my football and I just do what I always do. I have always been able to hold defenders off.’ He just sees is in a really lovely, simple and clear way.

“I don’t think the club can hold on to him when they are relegated. Probably the best thing for the club is he is their most saleable asset. If you are going to save money from relegation, then honestly, you don’t need Tyler Dibling in the Championship to go back up, but would you need him in the Premier League.

“I don’t think it would be easy for him [in the Premier League] because he is so young, but if you can get £60m for him then you can probably keep most of the other players without worrying about the money.

“It would make sense to me to sell him. It would be gutting for the fans, but it is business. If they have to sell him but they keep Matheus Fernandes, then I would go with that all day long.”

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds