Everton see £27m bid for Southampton wonderkid Tyler Dibling rejected

Everton have had a £27 million offer rejected by Southampton for highly rated 19-year-old winger Tyler Dibling.

The Merseyside club reportedly remain keen on securing the England Under-21 international and are expected to return with an improved proposal as they look to add attacking options before the transfer window closes.

Dibling’s performances during Southampton’s difficult Premier League campaign last season have attracted interest from several top-flight sides.

The teenager scored twice in 33 league appearances and also netted a brace in the FA Cup third-round victory over Swansea City back in January.

Everton’s summer business has been challenging, with David Moyes admitting the club are “running out” of time to strengthen the squad despite having money available.

So far, their incoming transfers include striker Thierno Barry from Villarreal for £27m, young full-back Adam Aznou from Bayern Munich, and goalkeeper Mark Travers.

However, they have also lost five senior players this summer, among them Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

An earlier attempt to bring in Fulham defender Kenny Tete fell through after he chose to sign a new contract at Craven Cottage.

Why is Dibling so highly rated?

Last season was a steep learning curve for Dibling and a tough campaign for a teenager to deal with.

He was brilliant at times, but as the season faded for Southampton it also faded for Dibling as niggling injuries impacted him, as well as the vagaries of trying to play at the highest level week in, week out.

He is a quiet, thoughtful teenager who does not look for the centre stage, but his talent is good enough to demand it in the future if he keeps growing as he has.

He went to Chelsea as a youngster but didn’t like it and came back to Southampton.

But now he looks destined for the big stage after outgrowing the Saints.