Honest Saints boss Russell Martin gives West Ham hope of signing budding superstar Tyler Dibling

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West Ham have been given hope of signing budding Southampton superstar Tyler Dibling by their frustrated manager Russell Martin.

Plenty of money has changed hands between West Ham and Southampton in the last 18 months.

West Ham paid Saints £30m for their captain James Ward-Prowse last summer.

In exchange the Hammers loaned Southampton their fan favourite midfielder Flynn Downes.

Ward-Prowse was shipped out on loan by West Ham to Forest in the summer.

And Downes joined Southampton in a permanent deal for around £18m.

Another deal on cards between Hammers and Saints

It may not be the last bit of business done between the Premier League rivals, though.

Technical director Tim Steidten pledged to rebuild West Ham around young, exciting players when he took full control of recruitment in the summer.

It was easy to see why that was needed.

David Moyes left the Hammers with the smallest and second oldest squad in the Premier League.

After signing nine players, though, Steidten and Julen Lopetegui have somehow managed to make West Ham’s squad THE oldest in the top flight.

Southampton, by contrast, are in the top six youngest.

Like West Ham down the years, Southampton are famed for producing top young talent.

The Saints have a much bigger success rate in that regard in recent decades.

Undoubtedly the brightest of their current crop is Tyler Dibling.

West Ham ‘keeping tabs’ on budding superstar

West Ham have been keeping a close eye on Southampton sensation Dibling ahead of the January transfer window, according to Caught Offside.

The site, which gets information from Fabrizio Romano, reported this week that the Hammers “have been monitoring” Dibling’s eye-catching performances this season.

It is claimed Southampton have set an asking price of “at least” £20.6 million with scouts from other Premier League clubs also watching the 18-year-old.

Sky Sports News also reiterated West Ham’s interest on Friday afternoon at 12.54pm.

A player like Dibling is much more in line with the expectation West Ham fans had from their recruitment under Steidten.

Honest Martin gives West Ham hope of signing Dibling

The German has come in for criticism amid the Hammers’ struggles.

But Southampton are on course to be relegated straight back to the Championship and are vulnerable to losing Dibling as a result.

Now honest Saints boss Russell Martin has given West Ham hope of signing budding superstar Dibling.

Asked about the interest of West Ham and other rivals in his star player, Martin admitted talks over a new deal with the teenager have hit a wall.

Martin says that’s because Dibling’s agent doesn’t think the contract is good enough. And he admitted things are now getting ‘tricky’ regarding the alleged Hammers target.

Why inflated fee won’t be a problem for West Ham

Although he suggested Dibling would cost a lot more than the £21m quoted.

“I was told some rumours about interest, one was talk of a bid of £21m,” Martin said in his latest press conference.

“I’m not sure you’ll get his left foot for that.

“We have offered him a contract, a really good contract for someone his age.

“At the minute, I don’t think his agent agrees, so that’s where we’re at. I think Tyler wants it done, I think Tyler’s parents want it done, so we’ll see how long that takes…

“I’ve spoken to Tyler’s mum and dad about it, I’ve spoken to Tyler, but then I’m not involved in any of the negotiations – that’s down to Phil [Parsons, chief executive] and the gang, the owners and Tyler’s agent – and that’s where it gets tricky.”

Many might think a big price tag in the region of £30-40m might rule West Ham out.

But that shows a lack of knowledge about why West Ham are eyeing Dibling in the first place.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that Hammers star Mohammed Kudus will be sold.

Graeme Bailey has claimed that Kudus may even be sold in January as the Hammers need to raise funds to sign players, including a new forward.

Arsenal are favourites to land Kudus, who has an £85m release clause active from July.

With the prospect of that kind of money coming in, the Hammers could easily afford Dibling as Kudus’ replacement.

Even at Martin’s inflated valuation. And there would still be money left over for a forward.

West Ham have been linked with young strikers including Evan Ferguson and Igor Jesus.

The encouraging news and refreshing honesty from Martin will give Steidten hope he may be able to turn his Hammers rebuild around after all.