Newcastle United would love to sign the next Paul Gascoigne.
Having started his career at Newcastle United in the 1980s, Paul Gascoigne is still considered one of the most naturally gifted footballers that England has ever produced.
He was a maverick and a game-changer, which is exactly what the Magpies are looking for as they aim to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window.
Eddie Howe’s side are set to be in the market for attacking reinforcements, with Newcastle eager to sign a right winger.
Tyler Dibling is a target for Newcastle, and he is a player who is drawing comparisons to the legend that is Gazza.
Tyler Dibling compared to Paul Gascoigne
That is according to former Arsenal and Southampton attacker Theo Walcott, who has compared Dibling to Gascoigne during an appearance on the Premier League’s YouTube channel.
“There has not been a lot of him, but he’s the closest thing to a left-footed Gascoigne,” he said.
“Even like a Grealish type. What I like about him, he doesn’t just like to go forward, he likes to track back and do the bits that I actually despised. He’s a hard worker. Physical. Comfortable on the ball. Wants the ball at all times. Isn’t hiding away from his teammates.
“He’s probably going to be getting a move.”
Newcastle United target expected to change position
When you watch Dibling, it is easy to see why Walcott has likened him to Gascoigne.
He is brave in possession and commits defenders, playing off the cuff and making things happen in the final third.
The only difference right now is that while Gascoigne was an attacking midfielder, Dibling currently plays on the right wing.
That is why Newcastle are looking at him, as Paul Mitchell searches for a player to join Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon in attack. However, that search is being made harder by Jacob Murphy’s form.
Dibling would be an exciting addition to the Newcastle United squad, but he perhaps might not be a long-term solution to the Magpies’ right wing conundrum.
That is because Dibling is expected to change position in the future and transition into an attacking midfielder – just like Gazza.
That is the view of former Southampton manager Russell Martin, who recently told the Rest Is Football podcast: “He [Dibling] will play as a number eight or 10 eventually, but he can play out wide too and even false nine, he played false nine for us in pre-season and he was our best player.”
Newcastle United have tried to sign Dibling before
That kind of versatility will make Dibling even more appealing to Eddie Howe, who has already missed out on the chance to sign him.
Newcastle wanted Dibling in 2022, back when Dan Ashworth was the Magpies’ sporting director.
Unfortunately, Ashworth could not bring Dibling to Tyneside. Now it is up to Paul Mitchell, but even he might struggle.
Tottenham are the favourites to sign Dibling, despite interest from the Magpies.
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