Tottenham Hotspur and RB Leipzig are the two frontrunners in the race to sign Southampton’s talented teenage forward Tyler Dibling, according to a report in Germany.

The 18-year-old winger has been a lone ray of hope in a bleak season for Southampton. The club’s Exeter-born academy graduate, who briefly spent time in Chelsea’s youth setup, was afforded a grand total of two Championship minutes while the Saints won promotion last season.

Russell Martin put his faith in the left-footed winger this term, bringing him off the bench in the first three matches of the season before he earned his full debut against Manchester United in September. Dibling terrorised Diogo Dalot, winning a first-half penalty which Cameron Archer failed to convert.

The dainty dribbler’s strike earned Southampton their first point of the season against Ipswich Town a week later and he has been on the radar of top clubs across the continent ever since.

Sky Sports Germany claim that Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig are prepared to pay as much as €30m (£25.2m) for the teen. However, the Saints are emboldened to rebuff that offer because of Dibling’s talent, the length of his contract (which runs until 2027) and interest from Tottenham.

Ange Postecoglou admitted that Spurs were keen on the French forward Randal Kolo Muani after it became apparent that he would be on his way out of Paris Saint-Germain this month. The World Cup finalist ultimately opted for Juventus, and Tottenham face plenty of competition for Dibling’s signature as well.

Despite interest from “half of Europe”, according to Sky, Southampton have rejected all offers for their star forward thus far.

Martin may no longer be in position on the south coast, but he captured the club’s lofty opinion of Dibling when the topic of his transfer was raised in December. “I was told some rumours about Man Utd, one was a bid of £21m,” the former manager mused. “I’m not sure you’ll get his left foot for that.”

Dibling has been offered a new contract by the relegation battlers – who currently sit rock bottom of the top flight and are on course to record the lowest points tally in Premier League history – but has plenty of other offers to mull over.

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