Manchester United and Aston Villa face battle for in-demand Southampton midfielder Tyler Dibling - Paper Round

Manchester United and Aston Villa are two of a handful of clubs who are reportedly tracking Southampton's promising youngster Tyler Dibling, while Sheffield United are plotting at least two signings this January. Elsewhere, Manchester City’s 2008 bid for Lionel Messi is explained as an accident, while winger Amad Diallo could soon be out of contract at Old Trafford if his club do not move quickly.

United linked with Saints midfielder Dibling

Manchester United and Aston Villa are two clubs linked with a move for Southampton midfielder Tyler Dibling.

The teenager is impressing clubs on the continent as well, with a transfer likely if The Saints are relegated this season.

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The Sun writes: "Southampton’s Tyler Dibling is being watched by two Premier League giants, SunSport can reveal.

"The midfielder has been one of the only bright sparks in a season which has seen the Saints left rooted to the bottom of the table. Dibling, 18, has now caught the eye of two Prem giants.

"Manchester United and Aston Villa have both sent scouts to watch his last three games and he’s believed to be on the radar of clubs in Germany and Italy as well.

"It’s likely any deal for the player would be in the summer as Southampton are not ready to sell with relegation a looming threat."

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Sheffield United plot January spending

Sheffield United could go on a spending spree in January to regain promotion to the Premier League.

Their prospective new owners want to make two loan signings and potentially some permanent deals.

The Mirror explains: "Sheffield United’s potential new owners have given the green light to the club’s plans to make two loan signings next month.

"And American group COH Sports will release millions to fund any permanent deals once their £100 million takeover goes through.

"COH Sports’ Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy met Chris Wilder when they attended last month’s derby win over Sheffield Wednesday and want to give him all the help they can to get the Blades promoted.

"They feel Wilder has done an incredible job in turning United around following their awful season in the Premier League and are ready to back him.

"The deal has been approved by the EFL and the final step is for current owner Prince Muhammad to sign off on the takeover.

"The club have identified two loan signings to make in the transfer window and Rosen and Eltoukhy will also provide cash to make permanent deals."

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City made Messi bid in error

Manchester City made a bid for Lionel Messi in 2008 – though former assistant manager Mark Bowen believes the offer was made by accident.

The Blues were looking to land a superstar after their takeover but were swiftly rejected by Barcelona.

The Daily Star reports: "Ex-Manchester City assistant Mark Bowen has explained how a 'messy' mix-up saw the reigning Premier League champions once accidentally put in a £35 million bid for Lionel Messi.

"Back in 2008, flushed with cash from their then new Abu Dhabi-backed owners, City were spending money for fun. During that summer, they brought in Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Tal Ben Haim, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Brazilian striker Jo.

"However, they were still keen to land a major marquee signing following the takeover, which eventually ended up in them bringing in Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5m. They were in the deadline day race to sign then Tottenham star Dimitar Berbatov, but the Bulgarian opted to join rivals Manchester United.

"However, there was a point during that summer City were just throwing out bids here and there to clubs for their big name stars to see what stuck.

"And this approach led to a ‘messy’ mix-up which saw City bid £35m by accident for Messi, leading Barcelona president Joan Laporta to tell them to effectively get lost."

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Diallo nears end of United contract

Amad Diallo has just a year of his contract at Old Trafford remaining, though Manchester United could exercise an option to extend it by a further 12 months.

The winger has impressed under Ruben Amorim in recent weeks and would attract plenty of attention.

The Telegraph states: "He has been a smiling assassin for Erik Ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy and now, crucially for his long-term plans, Ruben Amorim. Five assists and three goals from 10 starts paints a picture of a player taking off at Old Trafford just when his contract is about to run down.

"United have put Amad’s future on their immediate agenda and they will make a decision about triggering a one-year extension in the coming weeks, or risk him leaving for free in the summer.

"He seems to have Amorim’s blessing as a wing-back in his 3-4-3 system, with the head coach describing him as 'big in talent, small in size'.

"Huge strength of character can be added to that list after the 22-year-old’s journey from Abidjan in the Ivory Coast to star status in the Premier League, via Sunderland and Glasgow and after being trafficked to Italy from his homeland."

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