Everton likely to make fresh move for Southampton’s Tyler Dibling

Everton are likely to make a fresh move for Tyler Dibling and are hopeful of clinching a deal for the winger, whose departure would boost Southampton’s chances of preventing Mateus Fernandes from joining West Ham.

Southampton are holding out for at least £50m for Fernandes – West Ham’s latest bid was £30m plus £2m in add-ons, up from last week’s effort of £28m plus £2m in add-ons – and will be in an even stronger financial position if funds are raised through the sale of Dibling. Everton have been biding their time since their previous offer for the 19-year-old, which was about £40m, and are understood to be preparing another bid.

Southampton have hoped to receive £50m for Dibling, who is open to joining Everton, but there is optimism that a compromise will be reached on a fee for the teenager. Signing the England Under-21 international would be a major boost for David Moyes, who has already added Thierno Barry, Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to his attack.

But it would potentially be bad news for West Ham given that selling Dibling would harden Southampton’s position on Fernandes. The south coast club are bidding for an instant return to the Premier League and have shown little indication of dropping their asking price for the Portuguese midfielder.

Fernandes is a key target for West Ham but they have been frustrated in their attempts to sign the 21-year-old. They are scrambling to add energy and creativity in midfield but are struggling to land their top targets. West Ham have made a bid for Barcelona’s Marc Casadó but that has been described as a difficult deal to pull off, while an approach for Andrey Santos was dismissed by Chelsea earlier this week.

Graham Potter is hunting for midfield reinforcements after West Ham’s frailties were exposed during their 3-0 defeat by Sunderland on the opening weekend of the season. Potter is looking for two midfielders – one to sit deep and control play, another to operate in a more advanced role – and Casadó has been identified by the club’s recruitment team. The 21-year-old made 36 appearances in all competitions for Barça last season. Wolves are also interested in the player.

West Ham hope to make space in their budget by loaning Edson Álvarez to Fenerbahce. The Mexico midfielder, who earns £115,000-a-week, has not made up his mind on whether to join the Turkish side. Porto and Borussia Dortmund are also interested in Álvarez.

West Ham have made four signings this summer and are monitoring Romano Schmid, who plays in attacking midfield for Werder Bremen. Schmid is a potential alternative to Fernandes. West Ham expect to move forward with other targets if Álvarez goes. Feyernoord’s 24-year-old midfielder Quinten Timber - the twin brother of the Arsenal right-back Jurrien - is one of the names on West Ham’s radar.

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Meanwhile, Bournemouth are closing in on the signing of Amine Adli after an agreeing a fee of £25m plus bonuses with Bayer Leverkusen for the Morocco forward. It is understood that Adli, who was part of the Leverkusen side that went unbeaten in the 2023-24 Bundesliga season, is due to complete his medical shortly and will sign a five-year contract.

The 24-year-old made almost 100 appearances for Leverkusen and is targeting a place in Morocco’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which they are hosting, later this year.

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