Juventus star Dybala would prefer Barcelona switch

Juventus striker Paulo Dybala is being watched by Barcelona, Real Madrid and many other big European clubs. But the best young player in Italy is especially seduced by the idea of playing for Barça with Lionel Messi, his Argentina team-mate. The obstacles: the money involved and his desire to be a starter. 

The Argentine is no longer a young, promising player, but rather a confirmation of everything his talent suggested he would be when he was at Instituto de Cordoba, the club that formed him. Juve paid Palermo 32 million euros to sign him, which was thought to be a little high by some at the time of the deal. However, Dybala, 22, has responded with goals and performances already. Now he’s got Barça and Madrid upping their interest.

From the player’s entourage it has been confirmed to SPORT that there were representatives from the Catalan club and from Los Blancos at the game between Seville and Juventus earlier this week in the Champions League. 

However, no-one has yet spoken with the player’s agent, nor with his family to find out his intentions. Everyone knows Dybala is being closely followed, though. Ariedo Braida, Barça international sporting director, has firmly recommended him to Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Pushed to choose, Dybala would be especially inclined to lean towards Barça due to his admiration for Messi. He believes it would be a big step in his career to play in Spanish football one day, above all for Barcelona. He has still not completed his dream to play with Messi for the Argentina national team - due to the 28-year-old’s recent injury - but that will surely happen soon, perhaps in March when the Albiceleste meet Chile and Bolivia in World Cup qualifiers. 

Dybala is part of the fresh look Gerardo Martino has added to the Argentina side recently. And his involvement in the last four squads has validated his place in the national team. 

After his first call up, he received the support of Messi, the national team captain. “Dybala is going to be a big player. He’s a player with a big future,” La Pulga said. 

The Juventus manager, of course, doesn’t want to sell him. For Massimiliano Allegri he is already one of the pillars of the team: “He’s got a huge capacity for learning, he’s like a sponge. Just look at his eye, he’s got so much focus, he has a killer look,” the Italian said. 

Meanwhile, Paulo continues to do what he knows: singing with goals and talent in Italy: he has participated in 50 percent of his team’s goals (11 off the 22 scored by Allegri’s side). He has scored seven, assisted three and had his shot against Lazio resulted in Santiago Gentiletti’s own goal. And he is ready to become one of Calcio’s big goal-scorers.