Tyler Dibling has Everton exit plan lined up in event of Abdul Fatawu purchase
Tyler Dibling may be allowed to leave Everton if the Toffees pull off the signing of Leicester City’s Abdul Fatwau this summer.
The Blues signed Dibling from Southampton in a package deal worth £40m last summer, but the young star is yet to find his feet at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
David Moyes has opted to play Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye at right wing in place of the Englishman for most of the season, and a loan move back to the Championship seems inevitable at some point.
Dibling was linked with a loan return to Southampton in the winter window, and if the Saints are promoted back to the Premier League, the short-term transfer would make total sense.
Especially when considering that Everton are seriously interested in Fatawu, who will almost certainly leave Leicester in a couple of months.
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Tyler Dibling won’t have space at Everton if Abdul Fatawu is signed
There have been internal frustrations with Dibling considering that he cost Everton a pretty price, as in return, they’ve had nothing so far.
Moyes has admitted that the 20-year-old has struggled to adapt in the Premier League for the Toffees, and that’s a main reason to his struggle for game time.
| Area of game | Stats |
| Matches | 41 |
| Goals | 9 |
| Assists | 7 |
| Dribble success | 42.9% |
| Pass success | 70.2% |
As seen in the table above, Fatawu looks like someone who is clearly ready for top-flight football, and with Leicester on the verge of relegation to League One, the Foxes’ main star will seek a move he deserves.
If the Ghanian was to come to Hill Dickinson this summer, he would provide Iliman Ndiaye with competition at right wing, two players Dibling has no chance of starting over as things stand.
However, it’s important to note that the former Southampton star is a development signing and has until 2029 to prove his worth for the Blues.
What has Gary Lineker said about Fatawu?
Fatawu was part of Leicester’s team that was relegated last campaign, but he was injured for the majority of the season.
The 22-year-old made 11 top-flight appearances in total, grabbing two assists in that time, and an average FotMob rating of 7.2.
He impressed many pundits, and Gary Lineker in particular, who said he sees similarities between the winger and Arsenal star, Bukayo Saka.
While speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast in 2024, Lineker said: “He’ll beat people, he’s quick, he’ll take people on, he’ll cut inside and bend one in the top corner, he’ll go down the outside and cross the ball. He’s a little like Saka in that way.
“I’m not going to say he’s as good as Saka, not yet, but he’s only 19. He’s got an incredible work ethic and a lovely personality. He’s a real character and everyone at Leicester knows that.”
It could be an exciting signing for Moyes to make, but it would end any hopes of Dibling having a big part to play next season.
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