According to Italian media rumors, Paulo Dybala is expected to leave Juventus this summer, with rivals Inter Milan preparing to swoop in for his signing.
Dybala’s current contract with Turin expires at the end of the season, and the club was in talks with him about a new long-term deal.
The Argentine now appears set to leave Juventus on a free transfer after failing to agree to fresh terms, with Inter in pole position to sign him.
According to various Italian newspapers, including Tuttosport, Inter are willing to offer him a five-year contract.
The 28-year-old is willing to remain in Italy, which makes Simone Inzaghi’s side favourites to sign him, although they will face heavy competition from some of Europe’s finest teams, with Atletico Madrid among those interested in signing him.
Dybala has been in excellent form this season, scoring 13 goals and providing six assists in 29 games in all competitions.
During his time in Turin, Dybala also won five Serie A crowns and four Coppa Italia trophies.
However, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Argentine will leave behind a ‘unfinished love’ following his seven-year spell at the club, which was reported to conclude on Monday.
Juventus CEO Maurizio Arrivabene confirmed that Dybala will be allowed to go for free this summer, citing Dusan Vlahovic’s £62 million January move from Fiorentina.
‘It was a friendly, straightforward, and courteous encounter,’ he told reporters. We took an extremely honest approach.”
‘With the addition of Vlahovic, Paulo’s role in the project shifted, and we made this decision.”
‘Dusan’s arrival altered the situation. The team’s technical structure and the Juventus project have changed slightly. ‘A number of these changes are related to Dybala’s contract, which was not renewed.’
Former Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi, on the other hand, is surprised to see Dybala depart the Allianz Stadium and believes that replacing him will be ‘difficult’.
‘I am friendly with Paulo; I heard the news but have not spoken to him yet,’ he said.
‘He is a fantastic footballer and a fantastic human being. I’m surprised he’s leaving; it’s not going to be easy to replace him with another player of his caliber. He has accomplished remarkable things throughout the years, and I am confident he will find a club that will enable him to continue to progress and perform well.”
‘It is difficult to accept, but one must possess the fortitude to turn the page.’