Everton are finally making their move for a right winger, and if they can complete this deal, it could be worth the wait.
Tyler Dibling earned rave reviews during his first season of senior football last campaign, impressing in a Southampton team which was ultimately relegated from the Premier League.
Infamously priced at £100 million by his club in the past, the 19-year-old is a man in demand, and his side’s relegation could pave the way for Everton to snap him up for less than half of that price.
With reports suggesting a fee of around £35 million, however, he would still represent a major investment from the Friedkins, as pressure from manager David Moyes for the club to get deals done increases.
Dibling can operate out wide as well as centrally, so it remains to be seen where he will be used, if indeed the move materialises.
So, with that said, let’s take a look at three possible winners and losers from Everton after the transfer takes place.
Winners from Tyler Dibling’s potential move to Everton
Thierno Barry
Thierno Barry is just in the door at Everton, but the French youth international is a striker with a playing style which relies on service. Dibling’s arrival would therefore be a hugely significant aid for this.
Beto and, previously, Dominic Calvert-Lewin have both left much to be desired with their efficiency in front of goal, but with the club splashing out more than £25 million for the 22-year-old, there is hope that the six-foot-five striker can offer a change in fortunes.
Known for his effective link-up, Barry offers more than just goals and could well create some for a willing attacker such as Dibling.
Two young, highly-rated forwards linking up is an exciting prospect for David Moyes, and indeed any Everton fan.
Iliman Ndiaye
In just one season on Merseyside, Iliman Ndiaye has established himself as the team’s attacking difference-maker, quickly becoming a fans’ favourite.
For the long-term good of the team’s attack, however, the addition of another creative dribbler such as Dibling could take some of the burden away from the Senegal international, making the team a more well-rounded threat.
A player who thrives in wide areas, whether that’s his starting position or not, Ndiaye offers a similar profile to Dibling. Should they link up in the same attack, Everton’s goalscoring numbers could be transformed.
Beto
Despite being linked with moves away this summer, Beto could well be here to stay at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Having managed a respectable eight Premier League goals last season, the towering forward’s relationship with Dibling could be key to his first-team minutes.
The physicality and industry of a forward such as Beto could be well complemented by the addition of Dibling.
The Guinea-Bissau international made a notable improvement from his first season in blue to his second, and if this continues, Barry’s place in the team could be hard-fought.
Strikers of a similar profile, such as Paul Onuachu and Ross Stewart, struggled in an attack with Dibling last season, but Everton’s relative strength could see players such as Beto thrive.
Losers from Everton’s potential signing of Dibling
Dwight McNeil
More than ever before, last season, Dwight McNeil played on both wings, rather than just the left. Ten goal involvements in 21 Premier League appearances suggest that this could provide positive results.
McNeil also plays an important part in taking set pieces for the team, but with Ndiaye and Carlos Alcaraz now helping share that responsibility, the 25-year-old winger’s minutes could become more limited.
A hard worker with lots of Premier League experience, the former Burnley man will surely still have an important part to play, but with attacking reinforcements such as Dibling incoming, this could be with limited game time.
Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos ‘Charly’ Alcaraz has played in a variety of positions since his arrival on Merseyside, but when playing further forward, he has contributed goals and assists.
In Dibling, he would have more competition. Should the intention be to move Dibling into an attacking midfield spot through the middle, Alcaraz’s opportunities in his favoured position could be harmed.
As a hard-working, combative midfielder, the Argentine – a former Southampton man himself – could still operate in a more box-to-box role, but whilst the wait for the youngster’s arrival goes on, his exact position for the campaign remains unclear.
James Garner
A similarly versatile player to Alcaraz, Garner’s combination of grit and technique has seen him establish his place in Moyes’ team. For a chunk of pre-season, however, he has been used on the right wing.
Whether this means that the 24-year-old’s place could be under threat by the arrival of Dibling remains to be seen. Ultimately, he is primarily a midfielder, and a very different type of player from the Southampton starlet.
When the quality of the first team improves, however, so does the competition for places. For Moyes, having the choice of a variety of talented players would be a privilege. For Garner, it could be bad news.