PSG, Chelsea or Man Utd? Who might sign Juventus ace Paulo Dybala

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 4 min read

Paulo Dybala is in the midst of arguably the most difficult season of his career with Juventus.

‘La Joya’ has featured 10 times for the Serie A club this term but has returned over a single goal.

Since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo on the scene in Turin, Dybala has found it increasingly difficult to find space in the squad. The appointment of Andrea Pirlo to head coach in the summer has not helped him any.

He has started only six games this season and has completed 90 minutes on only four occasions. Although he was handed the captain’s armband against Benevento, his performances have not merited such an honour.

Rumours of a contract stalemate continue, so could the Bianconeri be looking to cash in on one of their star forwards of the past few years while he still has a high value?

If so, who would be the main suitors for his services?

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Dybala to PSG?

Recent reports in Italy suggest that Paris Saint-Germain are very serious contenders to sign Dybala. However, Les Parisiens have their eyes fixed on Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and he is a mere alternative.

Speaking to CNN, Dybala has previously admitted interest from the Parc des Princes side.

“It was more or less last year at this point when Juventus didn’t want to count on me, didn’t want me to continue playing here,” he said after a move failed to materialise in the summer.

“That’s when I was contacted and there were some clubs that were interested in me. Among those were Manchester United and Tottenham.

“I think for a long time there were conversations, then Paris Saint-Germain also appeared.

“I did not speak directly to any of them, but there were conversations with the clubs. However, my intention at the time was to stay.”

PSG are keeping their options open offensively due to a lack of certainty on their part. Angel Di Maria’s deal is up in June while Kylian Mbappe and Neymar’s contracts expire a year later.

With former Juventus target Mauro Icardi surplus to requirements, a swap deal might even be possible.

Little wonder, then, they are keeping close tabs on Dybala.

Paulo Dybala snapshot:

Chelsea

The potential of a transfer to Chelsea for Dybala has grown over the past few weeks, with the Blues one of a small number of clubs who could afford a big fee for the Argentine.

However, despite reports in the press that the Blues were planning a swoop in January, it now appears unlikely.

Roman Abramovich has, allegedly went cold on the idea due to how well new signings Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz are performing at the moment. Rather than spend even more money this year, having already forked out in excess of £220m, it is the Russian’s wish to protect his current investments.

Tottenham

In the summer of 2019 Tottenham had agreed a fee worth around £64m with Juventus for the transfer of Dybala, but the move fell through due to the player’s wage demands.

This one could still happen, but it will certainly not be in January as Spurs are already committed to a huge outlay on part of Gareth Bale’s massive Real Madrid wages. Dybala never really seemed that keen on a move to Spurs, which is perhaps why the original wage demands were so high.

Man Utd

One team who would have absolutely no issue with paying Dybala’s wages would be Manchester United who, like Spurs, were in for the Argentine last summer.

If they were in the Champions League at that time then this move could have happened, but playing in Europe’s premier club competition is a allegedly dealbreaker for Dybala, who wouldn’t be keen on dropping down to a Europa League team.

United are, of course, in the Champions League this term. But, last January they spent big on Bruno Fernandes from Sporting, who has likely filled the hole behind the striker that Dybala would have.

Do Man Utd really need Dybala or do they have other areas to address?