Newcastle looking at signing “special” £30M ace who’s better than Murphy

Newcastle United fans are currently enjoying a period of great success, with the team’s recent performances lifting the spirits of supporters and fueling optimism for the future.

Following an impressive FA Cup victory over Bromley, the Magpies have now secured eight consecutive wins—something they haven’t achieved as a top-flight club since March 2005.

This victory, combined with their rise to fifth place in the Premier League table, has bolstered the club’s hopes of finishing in a Champions League qualification spot. Additionally, they are on the verge of making it to the EFL Cup Final, a prospect that further highlights their excellent form.

With their domestic success continuing, Newcastle is looking to add to their squad in the January transfer window, particularly in bolstering their attacking options.

This follows a period of challenges in the transfer market, as in 2024, the club was forced to part ways with two promising young talents, Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh. Now, heading into January 2025, Newcastle is working hard to address these gaps and is eyeing one of the brightest young prospects in English football.

Tyler Dibling, a highly regarded young forward currently playing for Southampton, has emerged as a potential target for the Magpies. Although Dibling is not Newcastle’s top priority in January, he is one of several young forwards being closely monitored.

Reports suggest that other Premier League clubs, including Manchester City, have shown interest in Dibling, and Chelsea may regret allowing the teenager to leave two seasons ago. Newcastle, however, has had a longstanding interest in Dibling, with the player reportedly meeting with club staff during a visit to Tyneside back in 2022.

His potential move to St James’ Park remains a strong possibility, particularly given that Southampton is struggling in the league and likely to face relegation, with the club currently ten points from safety. Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke has suggested that Southampton values Dibling at £30 million and believes it is almost certain that he will leave the club this year.

Dibling’s attributes have garnered significant praise from football pundits, including former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy. On BBC’s Match of the Day, Murphy highlighted Dibling’s exceptional dribbling ability, noting his ease at bypassing defenders and his impressive left foot.

Despite his relatively short career so far, Murphy believes that Dibling has the potential to become a “really special” player. This is precisely the kind of prospect Newcastle hopes to sign to enhance their attacking options.

In terms of where Dibling would fit into Newcastle’s squad, the teenager has played both centrally and wide-right for Southampton. It is likely that he would be signed to challenge Jacob Murphy for a starting spot on the right-wing.

While Jacob Murphy has been a key player for Newcastle, his performances have been somewhat overshadowed by the success of the team as a whole. To better understand how Dibling and Murphy compare, we can look at their statistics for the 2024/25 season.

Statistics courtesy of FBref.com

While both players have had solid campaigns, there are several notable differences in their performances. Despite playing for a Southampton side currently at the bottom of the Premier League, Dibling’s statistics are more impressive in several key areas.

Dibling has taken more shots, with a higher percentage hitting the target, showcasing his direct and attacking style of play. He has also attempted far more take-ons—more than three times as many as Murphy—and ranks among the top players in the league for this statistic.

His 50 progressive carries are also noteworthy, as he ranks 35th in the Premier League for this category, which is particularly impressive considering Southampton’s struggles.

On the other hand, Murphy plays for a much stronger team in Newcastle, which naturally influences his overall statistics. However, despite being part of a more successful team, Murphy’s numbers do not surpass Dibling’s in areas such as shots, take-ons, and progressive carries.

This highlights Dibling’s potential to thrive even more in a high-performing side like Newcastle, where his direct attacking play could elevate the team’s offensive capabilities.

As Newcastle looks to continue their upward trajectory, adding a player like Dibling could prove to be a game-changing move. Alongside Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, Dibling would form a formidable attacking trio that could terrorize Premier League defenses.

While Jacob Murphy has proven to be a valuable asset, the addition of a dynamic and highly skilled winger like Dibling could take Newcastle to the next level. With the club on the verge of a Champions League qualification, strengthening their forward line with top talent is key to ensuring long-term success and maintaining their current form.