Manchester United’s summer transfer plans could end up depending on Champions League football.
After beating Lyon dramatically 5-4 at Old Trafford on Thursday night, Manchester United are three games away from a return to the Champions League against all the odds.
Despite sitting 14th in the Premier League, United remain the only side to be unbeaten in a major European competition this season and now take on Athletic Bilbao in May for a spot in the final.
While it is a brilliant competition to win, ultimately the reward of Champions League football is what will have Ineos desperate to win the tournament, with significant financial benefits to this.
Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde has said United belong in the Champions League, and if this is the result of this season, Ruben Amorim could be in for a real treat this summer, with very exciting transfer targets being rumoured should the Red Devils go all the way.
United are considering Xavi Simons if Champions League football is secured, and now a similar requirement has been outlined around another top target.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty ImagesManchester United planning Tyler Dibling swoop in case of Europa League win
Champions League football would be a game-changer for United this summer, with several positions needing to be strengthened. Winning the Europa League is worth at least £80m to United and would significantly boost the ability to compete in the market.
Now, ESPN have reported that one player set to be a target in the event of United securing Champions League football is Tyler Dibling.
It is claimed that United will step up interest in Dibling this summer if Amorim can lead the club to the Europa League trophy. So on Thursday, with the 7-6 aggregate win over Lyon, United took a step closer to the teenager.
Dibling is one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League this summer, with a transfer likely due to Southampton’s relegation, with Chelsea, Manchester City, Spurs and Bayern Munich all keen.
The report adds that Southampton’s demands of £100m for Dibling are seen as unlikely, with relegation to the Championship already confirmed. It is added that ‘essential’ targets will take priority if there is no European football secured for next season.
Manchester United should avoid Tyler Dibling
From the sounds of ESPN’s report, it would appear that the ‘really special’ Dibling is not seen as a priority but more of a luxury this summer, only to be signed if it is on top of the ‘essential’ signings.
With this in mind, after watching Rayan Cherki’s sublime performance at Old Trafford, it would be ridiculous to sign Dibling over the Frenchman, when Lyon’s 21-year-old is available for just £25m.
In an ideal world, United would sign both Cherki and Matheus Cunha, who Amorim is a fan of, for a combined fee of £87.5m and completely overhauling the attacking department of United in the process.
Dibling might cost around £50m, but for this price United would need assurances of a player being ready to make an impact which the 19-year-old has not yet proven he would do.
United have a handful of players in the academy right now who have the potential to step up instead, which would be a smarter decision from Ineos.