Paulo Dybala: Rating the top five transfer destinations for the Juventus star

It appears that the days of the low-socked innovator are coming to an end in Turin.

Paulo Dybala’s craft, guile and aesthetic has mesmerised the masses in Italy since 2012, but with Juventus unlikely to progress beyond the summer with both Cristiano Ronaldo and La Joya – whose contract expires in the summer of 2022 and is yet to agree to an extension – still on their books, the latter is destined to succumb to the transfer block.

Whether such a decision by the egotistical Bianconeri board is the right one is a discussion for another day. For the time being, let us focus on the Argentine’s future. More specifically, where he could wind up should he depart the club at the end of the season.

Here are five possibilities.

Paris Saint-Germain

It was Mauricio Pochettino who was desperate for Dybala to join Tottenham in the summer of 2019 as the protagonist in his ill-fated “painful rebuild” before those infamous image rights, supposedly, inhibited the possibility of a move.

But Poch is now at the helm of an institution where, despite the current financial climate, money is simply not an issue and Tuttosport (via BeSoccer) at the start of the year reported that the PSG boss wants Dybala in Paris.

From a tactical perspective, the Argentine would certainly not be a replacement for megastar Kylian Mbappe, who’s been heavily linked with a move away, but an upgrade on Poch’s alternative number ten options in his fluid 4-2-3-1, instead.

Neymar, Dybala and Angel Di Maria could function as the interchangeable attacking midfield triumvirate behind a bona fide number nine, perhaps Mauro Icardi should he stay in the French capital.

Likelihood Rating: 7/10

Suitability Rating: 8/10

Manchester United

After heavily pursuing Dybala two summers ago, with talk of a Romelu Lukaku/Dybala swap deal rife at the time, Manchester United are said to be back in the hunt for La Joya as they continue their surge towards the Premier League summit under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Tuttosport (via GiveMeSport), again, reports that the Red Devils are keeping tabs on the 27-year-old, but for me, United’s priorities lie elsewhere.

Ultimately, for all his talent, Dybala would find it almost impossible to usurp the inefficient but wildly productive Bruno Fernandes in Ole’s favoured 4-2-3-1 and while the idea of the Argentine functioning as an inside forward from the right is feasible, Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s attacking ineptitude from full-back will hinder United’s dynamics down that flank.

Ideally, they need a versatile winger capable of hugging the touchline. Dybala isn’t that guy, as Massimiliano Allegri discovered during his final season at the helm.

Likelihood Rating: 3/10

Suitability Rating: 4/10

Tottenham Hotspur

After coming so close to securing Dybala’s services under Poch, it’s only fair that we included the Lilywhites, but a pursuit of the Argentine this summer appears almost impossible.

Spurs have got plenty of problems to fix before they can think about splashing the cash on luxuries in attacking areas. While the need for a Christian Eriksen replacement remains stark, reinforcements in defence are *enter name of new manager here*’s primary concern.

Nevertheless, should Juve’s asking price lower and Spurs hire Maurizio Sarri as Jose Mourinho’s successor – surely he’ll leave in the summer, right? – we may well revisit the idea of Dybala winding up in N17.

Likelihood Rating: 1/10 *subject to change*

Suitability Rating: 3/10 *subject to change*

Barcelona

SWAP DEAL ALERT! Both Tuttosport and Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia) reported last month that the Bianconeri were considering involving Dybala in a swap deal for Ousmane Dembele, with whom they were linked with last summer.

However, I can’t understate how *bad* a move this would be for the Catalans. I thought they were done with all this nonsensical recruitment business now Josep Maria Bartomeu’s out the door. Surely they’ve learnt from the Miralem Pjanic debacle!?

Nevertheless, ditching Dembele for Dybala is simply illogical from a tactical perspective. Ronald Koeman’s side are already low on outlets – players who can run in behind and challenge the vertical compactness of opposition defences – with Dembele, Ansu Fati, and Jordi Alba their primary three.

La Blaugrana are replete with players who want the ball to feet: think Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and Dybala would add to that list.

The problem this causes is obvious: they’re easily pressed – best displayed in Bayern’s 8-2 rout over Barca in last season’s Champions League quarter-final. With no one willing to stretch beyond the last line of defence, the opposition can play a high line, condense the pitch and suffocate Barca’s technically proficient stars.

In short: don’t do it, Mr. Laporta.

Likelihood Rating: 3/10

Suitability Rating: 1/10

Chelsea

After spending a bucket-load of Roman Abramovich’s wonga last summer, the Blues are poised to continue their transfer surge ahead of Thomas Tuchel’s first full campaign at the helm in west London.

Chelsea are revered for pulling off the unlikely in the transfer window, and a move for Dybala would certainly fit such a narrative. Top Mercato (via the Daily Mirror) understand that Chelsea are ready to rival PSG for La Joya’s signature this summer and could include either Jorginho or Emerson Palmieri in a swap deal.

For me, this one’s tricky to envisage. Tuchel’s installed a counter-pressing juggernaut at Stamford Bridge thus far, with Dybala’s viability in his current 3-4-3 pretty low. He could function from an inside forward position off the right and reap the benefits of having a marauding Reece James providing the width, but should Tuchel continue with the elegant Kai Havertz as a false nine, I don’t think this would work. They’ll want to work in similar zones.

Nevertheless, there’s certainly potential in this move, and considering Chelsea’s unpredictability in the transfer market, you’d be naive to rule it out.

Likelihood Rating: 5/10

Suitability Rating: 5/10