Russell Martin has said it will cost much more than £21million for Southampton to part ways with Tyler Dibling next month.
Reports earlier this week claimed Dibling is being monitored by Manchester United and Aston Villa, with the 18-year-old also believed to be on the radar of clubs in Germany and Italy.
A £21million fee has been mooted for Dibling – who has made 14 Premier League appearances this season – but Martin laughed off the suggestions.
Ahead of Saints' home Premier League game against Tottenham on Sunday, Martin said: “I was hearing rumors about Man Utd, including a £21million bid.
“I'm not sure you get his left foot for that.”
However, Martin admitted that Southampton have problems extending Dibling's deal, saying: “We have offered him a contract, a very good contract for someone of his age.
“At the moment I don't think his agent agrees with that, so that's where we are now.
“I think Tyler wants it done, I think Tyler's parents want it done, so we'll see how long that takes.
“There is an option. We can extend. I don't think we want to do that – we want to reward Tyler for his performance.
“I've talked to Tyler's mom and dad about it, I've talked to Tyler, but I'm not involved in the negotiations. That's up to Phil.” [Parsons, chief executive] and the gang, the owners and Tyler's agent – and that's where things get tricky.”
Meanwhile, Southampton's goalkeeping crisis is set to ease with Alex McCarthy fit and available for the clash with Spurs, while Aaron Ramsdale is also close to a return.
Martin has had to rely on Joe Lumley for the team's last three games, in which Saints have conceded seven goals.
Ramsdale has not featured since the 2-0 defeat to Wolves on November 9 after a finger injury, while McCarthy last played in the 3-2 defeat to Liverpool later that month – when he was badly fouled for a goal that Mohamed Salah was gifted. .
Lumley was also guilty of a costly mistake during the 5-1 defeat to Chelsea as Southampton's defensive problems showed no sign of easing.
“The backs of Al McCarthy and Rambo [Ramsdale] is very close,” Martin added. “He might be back for the Tottenham game, but if not the Fulham game afterwards.”
There was more good news on the injury front, with Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu also available after being left out of the squad.
Defender Bednarek has missed the last four matches, while Onuachu has missed the last three, as Saints fall as many as eight points adrift of safety at the foot of the Premier League.
Martin's side, who are the lowest scorers in the top flight with 11, have recorded one win in the league this season and are in danger of being left adrift in the race to prevent an immediate return to the championship.
Defeat to Spurs on Sunday evening means they will certainly be bottom of the table on Christmas Day and if results are disappointing they could end the weekend eleven points from safety.
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