Chelsea face transfer threat as Atletico Madrid enter race for BARGAIN attacker

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 14 May 2024 17:00 BST
  • 4 min read
Mauricio Pochettino, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, 2023/24
© IMAGO

Atletico Madrid are reportedly interested in signing AS Roma forward Paulo Dybala and could activate his bargain €12 million release clause this summer.

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The 30-year-old has been a sensational signing since arriving in Rome back in 2022, but he has just one year left on his current contract and his release clause - which is only available to foreign clubs - is seen as extremely enticing.

Dybala has 16 goals and 10 assists in 37 games so far this season and he has been identified as an Atletico Madrid transfer target ahead of the summer window, according to Spanish publication SPORT.

READ MORE: Roma legend Totti delivers SPICY transfer claim on Chelsea dud Lukaku and Dybala

The Argentina international has been heavily tipped to leave Roma once the 2023-24 campaign draws to a close, with multiple top European clubs keeping an eye on his situation due to his extremely low release clause.

Paulo Dybala to leave Roma?

Current ETV
Player image Paulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala

AM (CR), F (R)

Roma logo

Roma

Paulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala

AM (CR), F (R)

Roma

Roma

€19.4M

ETV Range

€14.5M - €24.2M

Despite adopting an U25 transfer policy since Todd Boehly took charge in 2022, Chelsea have been consistently linked with a move for Dybala and reports in Italy earlier this year suggested the Blues were interested in a summer pursuit.

Although Dybala would naturally play in a similar position to Christopher Nkunku - and arguably Cole Palmer - the former Juventus star would add a level of top level experience that is sorely lacking in Chelsea’s squad at current.

READ MORE: Five players who could leave Chelsea this summer

Paulo Dybala, Roma
© IMAGO - Paulo Dybala, Roma

The impending exit of Thiago Silva will further reduce the age and maturity of Mauricio Pochettino’s team, and bringing in Dybala is something Enzo Fernandez has previously expressed would be a sensible idea for the Stamford Bridge outfit.

Last year, Silva also admitted that Dybala would be a fantastic signing for Chelsea while attending the Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

However, the Blues will face significant competition from Atletico Madrid, according to reports in Spain, while Barcelona have also been linked with a summer move after years of interest in Dybala.

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