One of the main Serie A transfer stories during the summer of 2022 surrounded the future of Paulo Dybala, who looked set to join Inter on a free transfer. In the end, the Nerazzurri took too long to free up the funds and AS Roma swooped in to sign the Argentine.
Despite enjoying a good first season in Rome and looking very settled, it cannot be ruled out that the World Cup winner will be on the move again this summer.
According to 90min.com, Dybala has been offered to a number of Premier League clubs this summer. His representatives have been seeking out the top sides in English football to make them aware of the release clause which becomes active at the end of the current campaign.
The 29-year-old Argentine joined Roma on a free transfer from Juventus at the start of the season. He has instantly become a fan favourite amongst the Giallorossi faithful, scoring 16 goals in 34 games and racking up eight assists.
Dybala’s previous flirtation with the Premier League
There have been numerous reports linking Dybala with a move to the Premier League over the years. In 2019, Manchester United entered talks with Juventus to sign the player as part of a proposed swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku.
The move reportedly broke down to the Argentine’s wage demands and complications over image rights and concerns about his lack of interest in moving to England. In the same summer, it was reported in The Guardian that Dybala was Tottenham’s number one summer target in 2019 and they had agreed on a deal with Juventus worth £64.4 million.
The deal broke down due to Juventus‘ unwillingness to let Dybala leave without a replacement lined up first. It was unknown as to whether Dybala would have actually been willing to join the North London side.
Dybala’s AS Roma release clause
It has been well documented that Paulo Dybala included a number of clauses in his contract when joined Roma last summer and it has recently come to light what the details are. The two clauses state that Italian clubs will be able to buy Dybala for €20 million and teams outside of Italy would be able to sign him for just €12 million.
According to the report from 90min.com, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have all been sounded out by Dybala’s representatives. While none of the teams have dismissed the offer out of hand, there are some concerns about whether the player really wants to play in the Premier League.
Jose Mourinho believes that whilst Dybala is good enough to play for the ‘biggest clubs in the world’, he told Sky Sport Italia that Dybala was seeking the joy and confidence again, which he has regained in the Italian Capital.
“My feeling is that he was seeking the joy, he has lost more than confidence,” going on to say “he found it here. He has found a coach who understands him.”
Ultimately, even if one of the English clubs decide to activate the €12 million release clause, the decision will still be Dybala’s. Roma have the option to increase his wages to €6 million net per season, a significant rise on his current €3.8 million, which would then make the release clause invalid.
